The Washington Capitals continue to see progress as defenseman Matt Roy returns from a lower-body injury sustained in the season opener against the New Jersey Devils.
Head coach Spencer Carberry gave an update on the 29-year-old blueliner after Friday’s practice. Washington heads south to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
“I’m not going to Tampa,” Carberry said. “He was on the ice today, doing some goalie ice stuff and stuff, but he didn’t do anything as a team.”
Roy has reportedly been on the ice alone for some time now and is expected to potentially return to practice with his teammates upon his return from Florida. Tariq Elbashir said Wednesday night that Roy could play in one of Washington’s three home games over the next eight days.
The right-handed defenseman played just 8 minutes and 39 seconds on the ice in the Capitals’ debut against the Devils, then headed to the locker room and did not return. Washington signed him to a six-year, $34.5 million contract as a free agent this summer.
During the team’s five-game winning streak, Roy was replaced in the team lineup by Dylan McIlrath to the right of Martin Fehevary. The club also has rear guard Alex Alekseev on reserve, who has yet to make his season debut. McIlrath’s early season success kept Alekseev in the press box.
“Maybe that was the negative factor for us not being able to continue this last short winning streak, other than some things in our game,” Carberry said. “We haven’t been able to really get Alexeev and (Sonny) Milano involved. They understand that. We’re playing well. We’re winning games, so it’s just a great game. Both have been practicing hard and are waiting for their opportunity to be in the lineup.”
Alexeev played in 39 games last year, Milan played in 49, and was on the team for the season-opening loss to New Jersey. Later, Jakub Vrana replaced Milano in the club’s third line.
The Capitals will play the Lightning on Saturday before returning home for a three-game series against the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets. The team is scheduled to have Sunday off, so the first indication of Roy’s status next week will be during Monday’s practice.
