Caps forward Andre Burakovsky misses Monday’s practice with ‘upper-body’ injury

Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky has an “upper-body” injury that forced him to miss practice Monday, the team announced.

Coach Barry Trotz said he’ll have more information about Burakovsky’s status Tuesday. He said he expects Burakovsky to “miss some time.”

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In the final two minutes of Washington’s game Saturday, Burakovsky got tangled up behind the net with Florida defenseman Ian McCoshen. Burakovsky’s left hand came off his stick and, when McCoshen was called for hooking shortly after, Burakovsky removed his left glove, clenching his hand in apparent pain. Burakovsky missed 15 games with a broken right hand last season.

Washington leaves for its Western Canada trip Tuesday. Its next game is Thursday, at Vancouver. Forward Tyler Graovac is already out with an “upper-body” injury that is considered week-to-week, and Trotz said he won’t be traveling with the team. With Burakovsky potentially out, the Capitals would be without another forward, so Trotz said the team is considering recalling Chandler Stephenson from Hershey of the American Hockey League before leaving for the three-game trip, which includes games at Calgary and Edmonton.

Through the first nine games of the season, Burakovsky has averaged 15:45 of ice time, starting the season on center Nicklas Backstrom’s line before being moved to the third line with center Lars Eller. He scored his first goal of the season Friday night in Detroit. Burakovsky had 12 goals and 23 assists in 64 games last season and, given his new two-year, $6 million contract, the team was hoping he’d increase his production this season.

More on the Capitals:

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