Here's the latest news on the injury front for the Capitals.
WASHINGTON — As Ethan Bear prepares to make his season debut on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, the Washington Capitals got some more updates on the injury front.
Max Pacioretty's season debut will have to wait, as there are a few final checks that have to be made before he returns from a re-torn Achilles. He last played on Jan. 19, 2023, when he suffered the injury just five games into his return from an initial tear back in August.
Still, he is close and right there health-wise, as he's been taking full contact and just got involved in rushes this week. He hasn't been ruled out for Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Meanwhile, there was some optimism on the Charlie Lindgren front. The 30-year-old was shaken up and hurt in the opening minutes of Friday's 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders after stopping a high shot from Brock Nelson. Despite head coach Spencer Carbery saying Lindgren would be out "for the foreseeable future," his upper-body injury isn't as bad as initially thought.
"Not (good enough) to the point where he can dress and play, but better than expected," Carbery said.
Hunter Shepard will start on Saturday in Lindgren's place.
Martin Fehervary, who was also hurt in Friday's loss to the Islanders, maybe a bit more off in the distance after going hard into the boards following a trip by Anders Lee.
With Fehervary out, Trevor van Riemsdyk will switch to his off side and skate alongside John Carlson on the top pairing.
As for T.J. Oshie and Sonny Milano, who remain on the injured reserve, both could "potentially" be back in the lineup next week. Oshie has been skating after suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 16, and he recently upgraded to contact. Sonny Milano, who was hurt on Dec. 9 against the New York Rangers, has been skating in a non-contact jersey while recovering from his upper-body ailment.
The Capitals face the Predators at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.