Thursday, April 25, 2013
Ottawa Senators vs Washington Capitals April 25, 2013
The Ottawa Senators will get a major boost in their final push for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the return of Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson told reporters after Ottawa's morning skate at Verizon Center he will play Thursday night against the Washington Capitals. Karlsson was expected to miss 4-6 months after surgery Feb. 14 to repair a 70-percent laceration to the Achilles tendon in his left foot.
If he does play Thursday against Washington (7 p.m. ET), it will be 10 weeks to the day of the injury.
Karlsson skated a regular shift alongside defense partner Marc Methot at practice Wednesday.
"I have no concerns," Senators coach Paul MacLean said Wednesday when asked if Karlsson was coming back too soon. "If he says he's ready to play, then he's ready to play. He's done the work.
