The Capitals got some positive news on the injury front at Saturday's morning skate.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got some positive news on the injury front on Saturday, as they saw several injured names make significant strides at the team's morning skate before a meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Nic Dowd and Martin Fehervary, who had both been skating in powder blue non-contact jerseys, upgraded to regular jerseys.
Dowd, who was not moved at the NHL Trade Deadline despite being a top name on the market, has not played since Feb. 20 due to an upper-body injury he suffered early on against the New Jersey Devils. He was still cycling in as an extra, so he does not appear ready to return yet.
Meanwhile, Fehervary has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on Feb. 17 in the opening minutes of play against the Montreal Canadiens. He was also skating as an extra.
T.J. Oshie also took a significant step forward, joining the group for morning skate after only doing skills work for the last handful of practices. The 37-year-old was in a regular jersey and took rushes on an extra defense pairing with Fehervary.
Oshie has not played since Feb. 22, when he suffered a non-contact injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
All three will make the trip to Western Canada and are possibilities to return on the upcoming road swing for D.C.
Here are the lines from morning skate:
Alex Ovechkin-Hendrix Lapierre-Aliaksei Protas
Max Pacioretty-Connor McMichael-Tom Wilson
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Dylan Strome-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Mike Sgarbossa-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Nic Dowd
Trevor van Riemsdyk-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Ethan Bear
Martin Fehervary-T.J. Oshie
Darcy Kuemper is also expected to back up Charlie Lindgren after missing Thursday's game with illness.