Brooks Laich Nears Caps Return
Washington Capitals fans received some great news today, after head coach Adam Oates confirmed to Washington Times reporter Stephen Whyno that center Brooks Laich has been cleared to practice with contact.
I know Smitty told me he’s allowed to have contact," said Oates. "I think it’s going to be a day-to-day basis evaluation because it’s one of those things where we don’t want to set it back.
Laich suffered a groin injury while playing with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss National League during the lockout. His absence appears to be a major reason why the Caps have started the season 4-8-1, and though the group has won two straight, Laich's return should still provide a massive boost.
The two victories the Caps snagged (against the second worst team in the NHL, no less) isn't a large enough sample size to permit me to state--as you just did--that Washington has turned a corner. I have a feeling that we'll know a lot more following this evening's contest against a Tampa Bay Lightning team which--though mired in a slump themselves--have the firepower to expose Adam Oates' troupe for the inept defensive club (and mediocre scorers) they've usually been against quality clubs in recent years. As a Capitals' fan I certainly hope I'm dead wrong...but based on what I've seen from Ovechkin and the boys in the years since since 2009, (the last season that they were truly an offensive juggernaut having scored 313 goals, as I recall) one wonders... CliffordSanta Monica
@logankeefe Please, please bring back those wonderful seasons (2007, 08, 09) for us miserable caps fans... those were the years of excitement, energy and just plain fun! Worth every penny of the season ticket prices. But alas, season ticket prices keep going up (to support Ted's superb Wizards I guess) for less and less performance on the ice. As good as he is, one man like Brooksie can not turn this gosh awful mess around. I'm a long time season ticket holder (14 years) who will turn them in this year (I'm sure the STH prices will increase again for next season). I simply have had enough of the lethargic play of Ovie and Green and the pathetic management by GMGM. Backstrom may still be hampered by concussion, so I can't fault him yet. We have one line that performs (Perrault), and a few bright spots like Ribero. This is not enough energy and drive to win games in the NHL.
