The Capitals got a healthier-looking picture on Thursday, with Rasmus Sandin, Logan Thompson and Justin Sourdif all on the ice as they work back from their respective injuries and illnesses.
Sandin is still the most complicated case. Video shared by Sammi Silber of The Standard DC showed the defenseman skating individually with Washington skills coach Kenny McCudden as he continues his rehab from ACL surgery. He was wearing a blue no-contact jersey and has not yet returned to full participation, but the work he’s doing is a step forward.
The knee injury traces back to April 11, when Sandin tore his ACL against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He sat out Washington’s last two games of the season before undergoing surgery on April 21.
Before that setback, Sandin put together a 73-game season with 29 points, including five goals and 24 assists. After John Carlson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, he took on a bigger workload and averaged 19:53 of ice time per game.
Washington has added more depth on the blue line since then, signing Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl in free agency and bringing back Timothy Liljegren. Even so, Sandin’s return would give the Capitals another trusted option on defense.
The 2018 first-round pick, selected ninth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to Washington in 2023, has totaled 97 points in 242 games with the Capitals, with 15 goals and 82 assists.
Thompson is also trending the right way. The goaltender, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, skated Thursday as well. In seven appearances this season, the 2023 Stanley Cup winner with the Vegas Golden Knights has gone 4-3 with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Sourdif joined him in regular gear after an illness kept him out of Washington’s previous two games against New Jersey and Los Angeles. He’s trying to build on a strong first full NHL season, when he posted 35 points, with 15 goals and 20 assists, in 78 games.
His offense has been quieter so far this season, with one goal through seven games, but his role has expanded in other ways. Sourdif has seen time on the penalty kill and has been adjusting to more responsibility at center.
There’s still no clear timeline for his return to game action, but getting back on the ice is a positive sign. For the Capitals, Thursday brought a few encouraging updates, even if all three players still have some ground to cover before they’re fully back.
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Capitals Suddenly Face Big Lineup Questions Before Saturday
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There is at least some better news up front, where Pierre-Luc Dubois and Justin Sourdif have both been dealing with illness but were back on the ice in recent practice. Dubois appears to be close to a return, which would give Washington a needed boost, but the Capitals may still have to tap the AHL if the latest injuries keep them short on bodies. [Read more 🡒]