ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals were champing at the bit to get back on the ice, huddled right outside the rink and eagerly waiting for the clock to hit 2 p.m. so they could practice again. After nearly two weeks off, Washington got back to the basics, taking the ice for skills work as part of an optional practice for the group. Though players had the option, almost all players were present, including captain Alex Ovechkin among others. All players are expected to be present Wednesday, with the exception of Olympians. Connor McMichael, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury suffered on Jan. 29, skated for the first time since his injury, joining the group in a non-contact jersey. Charlie Lindgren was also back, a full participant after missing the last four games before the break with a lower-body ailment. “Ill have to talk to (Jason Serbus), but them being out there on the ice are good signs, especially for Chucky, because he would be off to the side or wouldn't be taken participating in full drills. So that's a good sign for Chucky. And then Mikey, in the light blue today, looked like he was able to participate in everything.” John Carlson, who left the final game before break with injury, was skating and is good to go. Over the next week, the Capitals plan to use the practice time to ramp up for a big playoff push, as they sit four points out of Wild Card position and third in the Metropolitan Division. “There are multiple boxes that we're going to try to check as we go through this week and making sure that we're ramping up to being ready to go,” Carbery said.
