Former Ironman back in Caps Lineup

Well, after missing 4 games with a facial injury suffered after practice last week, Caps versatile forward Brooks Laich is back in the lineup tonight against the visiting Atlanta Thrashers. “I’m looking forward to getting back playing again”, says the five year Capitals veteran.
Last week after practice, rookie defenceman John Carlson shot a puck that ricocheted off the crossbar and hit Laich on the left side of his face. Laich immediately went to the room for repairs and ended up in the hospital for x-rays. He missed four straight games - after logging 257 games straight over three seasons - with swelling, bruising and stitches. In Laich’s second interview since the injury, he says he’s anxious to get back into the lineup. He’s going to have to wear added protection on his helmet though. “The cage sucks. He kind of limits your vision. The main thing I find with it is with pucks in your feet. Anything down around your feet when your stick is in real tight it’s tough to look through the cage down there. It’s a little heavy too. It throws your helmet around a little bit. It’s something I’ll deal with. It’s a lot better than sitting in the press box”. Laich is not worried at all about his conditioning. “I’ve only been out a week. I’ve skated four times by myself before practicing with the team, so I should be fine.”
Head coach Bruce Boudreau is probably more anxious for Brooksie’s return. “I can use him in any situation. He blocks shots, he kills penalties. He’s good on the powerplay. He’s first on the forecheck. He’s got speed and he’s got 25 goals. He’s a guy that you can really use.
By the way, in the four games that Laich was out of the lineup, the Caps record was 1-1-2. They went to two shootouts (a win versus Pittsburgh, a loss versus Carolina) lost once in regulation (to the visiting Calgary Flames), and lost in overtime (at the hands of visiting Ottawa Senators).