The Washington Capitals held a morning skate at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. There wasn’t much news except for this. The team announced the Sonny Milano did not make the trip as he’s out with an upper body injury. He is out for at least a week. Maybe longer.
The other night in the Caps 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Milano was skating on the second line with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. He had a goal and an assist in the Caps overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. I don’t recall when he got hurt the other night.
Tarik El Bashir of The Athletic did note that Milano did absorb a big hit from Connor Murphy that sent him to the bench slowly. Milano has recorded 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points so far this season.
It stinks that every time the Caps get a player back, another player goes down. He joins Connor Brown and Carl Hagelin. Brown only played a little bit. Hagelin hasn’t played at all this season.
Milano’s two points against the Blue Jackets was his sixth multi point game of the season. His assist marked his 21st of the season which established a new single season career high. In 2021-22, he had 20.
Milano’s 32 points in 58 games with the Capitals this season includes seven points in his last eight games. That’s a goal and six assists. Since making his Capitals debut on Nov. 5, 2022, Milano’s 32 points rank fifth on the team.
27 of Milano’s 32 points this season have come at even strength, tied for the fourth highest total on Washington. He is on pace to record 36 points this season which would mark a single season career high.
Even though it would take a miracle the Caps aren’t mathematically out of the playoffs yet. Just four points behind the Penguins. Big game tonight.