The Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex Tuesday morning for practice following their 6-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night. Forward Connor Brown, who sustained a lower body injury in the third period of Monday night’s game, did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Evgeny Kuznetsov also took a maintenance day.
Connor Brown (lower body) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (body maintenance) are not skating at Capitals practice today. Brown is being “further evaluated” after leaving last night’s game early, per a team spokesperson.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) October 18, 2022
After receiving a hit from Canucks’ defenseman Noah Juulsen, Brown slammed awkwardly into the board in front of the Vancouver bench. He limped away and headed directly down the Capitals tunnel.
Connor Brown goes into the boards awkwardly after a hit from Noah Juulsen and comes up limping. Elias Pettersson tries to help Brown to the bench but the ref intervenes. Brown immediately heads down the #Caps tunnel. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/XIITGo7vAy
— Lachlan Irvine (@LachInTheCrease) October 18, 2022
The team announced later in the third period that he would not return after sustaining a lower-body injury.
INJURY UPDATE: #Caps Connor Brown (lower body) will not return to tonight’s game.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 18, 2022
Washington acquired Brown on July 13 from the Ottawa Senators, who the team plays on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington), in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick. The 28-year-old scored 10 goals, 39 points, 50.26% five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, 48.58% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and 48.81% scoring chances-for percentage in 64 games last season.
Brown finished with the most ice time among Ottawa forwards (20:03) last season, including 2:04 on the power-play (sixth) and 2:38 on the penalty-kill (first).
The Capitals will practice again on Wednesday before departing for Ottawa in advance of their tilt with the Senators on Thursday night.
By Jon Sorensen