ST. PAUL, Minn. — Defenseman Brooks Orpik won’t make his long-awaited return to the Washington Capitals lineup on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild, and the Capitals could also be without center Mike Richards.
Orpik has missed 38 games with a lower-body bone injury. Coach Barry Trotz indicated it was possible Orpik could play after the team’s practice on Wednesday, and he said that even if he didn’t play in the game, he could participate in warmups to get reacquainted with a game-day routine. With Orpik still on long-term injured reserve, able to be activated at any time, Trotz said he won’t skate in the team’s warmups on Thursday night.