The Capitals practiced today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex following their 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night in Buffalo.  It doesn’t get any easier for the Caps as they host one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the New York Rangers, tomorrow.  The Rangers, who lead the Eastern Conference right now, are 7-2-1 in their last ten and have won five in a row.

Mike Green had his first full practice since getting hurt for the second time this season on November 11th.  The Caps are 8-0-0 with Green in the line up and today he worked a lot on the power play.

“Still day-to-day and nothing’s changed as far as the plan from before,”  Green said following practice.  “But the good thing is I’m back on the ice and feeling good.”

Green also added, “I just need a few skates to get my lungs and my legs back and I’ll be back in no time.”

There is still no timetable for his return just that he’s still “day-to-day”.  Also Jay Beagle continues to get closer to returning, but also no timetable for his return and is also day-to-day.  Beagle hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on October 13th.

Dale Hunter switched the Caps forward lines up a little bit from what it’s been the past three games.  They looked like this today: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, Johansson-Halpern-Brouwer, Chimera-Laich-Ward, Hendricks-Perreault-Knuble-Beagle.

Mathieu Perrault rejoined the team after spending last night in a Buffalo hospital for observation after his stick punctured his jersey and hit himself.  He is fine, played three shifts after the incident yesterday, and fully practiced today.

Listen here to what Dale Hunter, Mike Green, Brooks Laich & John Erskine had to say following practice today.

Dale Hunter Practice Audio

Mike Green Practice Audio

Brooks Laich Practice Audio

John Erskine Practice Audio