Capitals Notebook: Jensen Returns To Ice, Lines See Change-Up

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got an encouraging sign at Wednesday’s morning skate, as Nick Jensen hit the ice to skate with the team.

Jensen was sporting a blue non-contact jersey and didn’t take part in line rushes, but he did take part in the full skate. He suffered an upper-body injury after being hit in Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins. He had tried to take the ice Saturday for the team’s morning skate against Ottawa but left after a couple of laps prior to practice.

Washington placed Jensen on the injured reserve on Monday and listed him as week-to-week. He joins T.J. Oshie on the IR. Oshie remains day-to-day but has not been skating. He did skate prior to an optional on Friday, but he left the ice after some individual work.

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It is a major loss for the Capitals, who have seen Jensen step up his game this season and play a vital role on the top-4 alongside Dmitry Orlov. The 31-year-old blueliner has three goals and 11 points in 31 games this season and leads the team with a +/- of plus-20.

While there are still ways to go for No. 3, it was a big positive to see him skating and with the team for the skate. He was skating well and moving his feet.

Washington also made a few tweaks to their lineup as well as they prepare to take on San Jose Sharks and get back on the right track. Head coach Peter Laviolette reunited the top line of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. Daniel Sprong will also slot back in after spending the last three games as a healthy scratch. Meanwhile, Connor McMichael will draw out and be the odd man out for the first time since Jan. 7.