Alexander Semin wouldn't make any promises, but after emerging unscathed from a second day of practice at full speed, he said he will likely return to the Washington Capitals' lineup tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For the Capitals, this couldn't be a better time to get back their second-most dangerous offensive threat. Washington has struggled to score, at even strength and on the power play, in losing its past four games. During yesterday's 1 1/2 -hour session at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Semin appeared unimpeded by the sprained right ankle that has sidelined him since Oct. 6. He weaved his way through defenders, fired one-timers and balanced on one skate while unleashing his trademark wrist shot.
Afterward, Semin said the ankle no longer hurts, but as he removed his skate he grimaced, acknowledging that there is some numbness and discomfort because of the tape that is wrapped tightly around his ankle and foot. After a few minutes, though, he was walking around the locker room without a limp and even played table tennis. (He claims Michael Nylander is the only Capital who has defeated him.)
"Of course, I've wanted to play," Semin said through an interpreter, adding that it has been difficult to watch the Capitals struggle the past two weeks.
"But an injury is an injury and there was no sense" in risking further harm, he continued. "It's hard to say what percentage I am right now. I can say after I play in a game. But I am excited to come back."
Without Semin, who has missed six of the Capitals' seven games, Coach Glen Hanlon shuffled his lineup, forced to make do with a roster short on players suited the top two lines.
The results were disastrous. In addition to the losing streak, the Capitals (3-4-0) have scored 14 goals, which through Monday's games, was the second-fewest total in the NHL. The power play hasn't been any better, scoring only four times in 35 opportunities (11.4 percent).
Hanlon hopes Semin's return will help end the slump because it will allow him to assemble two legitimate scoring lines at even strength, as well as a pair of NHL-caliber power-play units.
"The timing is right," Hanlon said. "It slots everybody in the right spot. You're not bumping everybody up, you're bumping people down, and that's a good sign."
Before practice, forward Joe Motzko was reassigned to Hershey (Pa.) of the American Hockey League to the minor leagues to make room for Semin on the 23-man roster. General Manager George McPhee said he planned to wait until this morning before removing Semin from the injured reserve list, "just to make sure."
Hanlon put Semin back on the right side of the second line, which is centered by Nylander and has rookie Nicklas Backstrom on the left wing. Semin also played point on the second power-play unit, which featured Matt Pettinger in front of the net, Nylander on the half-wall, Backstrom roving and defenseman Brian Pothier on the other point.
"He gives us another weapon," Hanlon said of Semin. "It gives us two groups, a second wave of attack. If I were Michael Nylander, I would be excited about getting him back, because he's world-class. He has world-class skills, and he's a world-class player. Facts are facts; he's a great player."
Semin has also put up some great numbers throughout his career against Tampa Bay, which ended a two-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over Atlanta on Saturday. In 13 career games against the Lightning, Semin has 10 goals and 16 points, more than any other opponent.
Despite feeling "a lot better," Semin remained realistic about the type of impact he might have against the Lightning. After all, he did miss 14 days.
"Practice is a practice, and a game is a game," he said. "I've only been skating hard for a few days. But I do feel a lot better than I did. How I am used will be the coach's decision. All I can do is be ready to play."
For the Capitals, this couldn't be a better time to get back their second-most dangerous offensive threat. Washington has struggled to score, at even strength and on the power play, in losing its past four games. During yesterday's 1 1/2 -hour session at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Semin appeared unimpeded by the sprained right ankle that has sidelined him since Oct. 6. He weaved his way through defenders, fired one-timers and balanced on one skate while unleashing his trademark wrist shot.
Afterward, Semin said the ankle no longer hurts, but as he removed his skate he grimaced, acknowledging that there is some numbness and discomfort because of the tape that is wrapped tightly around his ankle and foot. After a few minutes, though, he was walking around the locker room without a limp and even played table tennis. (He claims Michael Nylander is the only Capital who has defeated him.)
"Of course, I've wanted to play," Semin said through an interpreter, adding that it has been difficult to watch the Capitals struggle the past two weeks.
"But an injury is an injury and there was no sense" in risking further harm, he continued. "It's hard to say what percentage I am right now. I can say after I play in a game. But I am excited to come back."
Without Semin, who has missed six of the Capitals' seven games, Coach Glen Hanlon shuffled his lineup, forced to make do with a roster short on players suited the top two lines.
The results were disastrous. In addition to the losing streak, the Capitals (3-4-0) have scored 14 goals, which through Monday's games, was the second-fewest total in the NHL. The power play hasn't been any better, scoring only four times in 35 opportunities (11.4 percent).
Hanlon hopes Semin's return will help end the slump because it will allow him to assemble two legitimate scoring lines at even strength, as well as a pair of NHL-caliber power-play units.
"The timing is right," Hanlon said. "It slots everybody in the right spot. You're not bumping everybody up, you're bumping people down, and that's a good sign."
Before practice, forward Joe Motzko was reassigned to Hershey (Pa.) of the American Hockey League to the minor leagues to make room for Semin on the 23-man roster. General Manager George McPhee said he planned to wait until this morning before removing Semin from the injured reserve list, "just to make sure."
Hanlon put Semin back on the right side of the second line, which is centered by Nylander and has rookie Nicklas Backstrom on the left wing. Semin also played point on the second power-play unit, which featured Matt Pettinger in front of the net, Nylander on the half-wall, Backstrom roving and defenseman Brian Pothier on the other point.
"He gives us another weapon," Hanlon said of Semin. "It gives us two groups, a second wave of attack. If I were Michael Nylander, I would be excited about getting him back, because he's world-class. He has world-class skills, and he's a world-class player. Facts are facts; he's a great player."
Semin has also put up some great numbers throughout his career against Tampa Bay, which ended a two-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over Atlanta on Saturday. In 13 career games against the Lightning, Semin has 10 goals and 16 points, more than any other opponent.
Despite feeling "a lot better," Semin remained realistic about the type of impact he might have against the Lightning. After all, he did miss 14 days.
"Practice is a practice, and a game is a game," he said. "I've only been skating hard for a few days. But I do feel a lot better than I did. How I am used will be the coach's decision. All I can do is be ready to play."
