The Washington Capitals held an optional practice prior to their game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes from MedStar Capitals Iceplex. While Capitals Head Coach Peter Laviolette didn’t 100 percent confirm Anthony Mantha will be back in the lineup or not, it sure looks like he will be.
Laviolette said he was going to talk to Mantha and the trainers after his press conference to see where he’s at. Mantha has been out since early November when he had to undergo shoulder surgery. When the scratches took the ice at the end of the skate, Mantha was not there, another sign he could be in.
Laviolette said this on his usage in the game tonight if he is indeed back:
"“I think you always watch a little bit. No player ever comes back if they’re not cleared. Nobody comes back early and nor will he come back early. When he’s back, he’s back. But I do think you watch it a little bit and make sure he’s in a good spot. He’s looked really good out here to me in practice it looks like he’s strong and looks like he’s conditioned and lots of positives that go with that.”"
The 26 year old’s last game came on Nov. 4 at the Florida Panthers. He had an awkward collision into the boards which resulted in the shoulder surgery. He started skating again on his own in January then returned to practice in a non contact sweater the next month. He was cleared for full contact on Monday and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
With Carl Hagelin’s injury from Tuesday’s practice that required eye surgery that could potentially end his career, Mantha’s arrival comes right when the Caps forwards are banged up and he’s poised to prove he was the player the Caps wanted when they traded for him almost a year ago.
Mantha has two goals and four assists in 10 games. The Caps take on the Hurricanes tonight on Hulu and ESPN plus at 7 p.m.