Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky is “week to week” with the upper-body injury he suffered earlier this month, coach Barry Trotz said Wednesday.
Asked whether Burakovsky was out for Game 1, Trotz only reiterated the week-to-week status. Whether the forward will play at all in the second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins depends on how long the series goes, Trotz said.
Burakovsky suffered the injury in Game 2 of the Capitals’ first-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets when he slammed into the boards in the first period and did not return to the ice.
Trotz said Burakovsky has not resumed skating yet, but “that’s going to happen fairly quickly.”
In Burakovsky’s absence, Chandler Stephenson has assumed his spot in the left wing of Washington’s second line alongside center Nicklas Backstrom and right wing T.J. Oshie. Stephenson blossomed after being bumped up from the fourth line, creating two assists in Game 5 against Columbus and recording an important third-period goal and an assist in the series-clinching Game 6 win.
Game 1 of the Capitals’ second-round series against the Penguins is Thursday at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena. This series will mark the third straight year the two rivals face off in the second round.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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