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Wilson & Dowd Are ‘Close’ To Return, Capitals Provide Updates On Johansson & More

The Washington Capitals got some injury updates as they took the ice ahead of the Stadium Series in Raleigh.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The Washington Captials took the ice in a different setting on Friday, skating outdoors at Carter-Finley Stadium. There, they got a positive sight ahead of Saturday's Stadium Series tilt with the Carolina Hurricanes, as Tom Wilson, Nic Dowd and Marcus Johansson all skated and took part in the outdoor practice.

Wilson and Dowd have been out with lower-body injuries they both suffered in January, and Johansson was hurt toward the end of Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers following an awkward collision with Radko Gudas. Each player made it through the entire practice session and spent extra time on the ice for the family skate afterward. Players were in white and blue jerseys, and no one appeared to be marked for non-contact.

"I feel good. Getting better and better every day, so I can't give you any answer… I got to chat and just see what's best for me, what's best for the team. More importantly, what's best from the team and go from there," Wilson said. "I'm going to try my best. Every morning I just kinda woke up and tried my best to get ready to play, so tomorrow won't be any different. But it's a fun environment, obviously I want to be out there and want to be with the team, so we'll see what happens."

Head coach Peter Laviolette said that Wilson and Dowd are both "close" and was encouraged by Johansson's participation, but he did not have any details regarding the lineup for Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The team is also still trying to address Alex Ovechkin's void as he misses his third straight game following the death of his father, Mikhail.

"We're working through it and there's things that are going on. It's great that Johansson made it out there today and that he was able to participate in practice, and I think that we'll continue to monitor that through tomorrow morning. Dowd and Wilson being out on the ice and on the trip is excellent, they continue to progress and again, we'll evaluate that tomorrow as well," Laviolette said.