Washington Capitals missing Brooks Laich but team hopeful of quick return -NHL Update
Washington Capitals felt a major setback when one of their top level players, Brooks Laich, injured his left knee during their Sunday night, February 5, 2012, matchup against Boston Bruins, but after the examination, they learned it was not a major one.
Hearing the news about the 28-year-olds injury not being as major as previously predicted, the team who is hoping to secure the Eastern Conference for the third time straight along with going deep into the playoffs, can certainly breathe easily for now.
With multiple players like Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green already out of the scene with different injuries, having potentially lost Brooks Laich for a longer time than expected would have certainly put a much heavier weight on the already overburdened shoulders of the remaining players.
"We miss Backstrom, Greenie and now Brooks," Washington captain and forward, Alex Ovechkin, said. "It's tough. Right now we have to be ready to play much harder for those guys and without those guys."
For Washington, having to replace Laich would not be possible at the moment or at least as long as this season is concerned, not only due to the talent of the player but the team chemistry that has formed up until now.
"This time of year, we've been just kind of cruising and just kind of waiting, and not really evolved too much," Washington Capitals ‘forward, Mike Knuble, said. "So now this is the fun part. Thirty games to go and we're going to play meaningful hockey games, and every night matters."
It was Washington Capitals head coach, Dale Hunter, who broke the news of Laich’s case not being termed as major, which certainly raises hopes of the team for a quick recovery and hopefully soon comeback.
Being one of the most consistent players in the NHL, Brooks Laich has participated in 52 games with the team this 2011-2012 regular season and boasts a 28 point record (10 goals, 18 assists) and a plus-minus rating of -6.
Washington has a major season to play as they hope to the shut the mouth of critics who have termed them as playoff chokers.
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