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Neuvirth could be back for part of series against Bruins

Michal Neuvirth

Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth (30), of the Czech Republic, deflects a shot from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

AP

The Washington Capitals might not have to go their entire first-round series against Boston with rookie Braden Holtby in net.

Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington.com reports that both Michal Neuvirth and Tomas Vokoun hit the ice today, though neither goalie is expected to play Thursday in Game 1.

According to Gormley, Neuvirth (lower body) “appears to be farther ahead and more likely to dress in the series.” That said, he only took a few shots before watching the rest of the practice from the bench.

Vokoun, meanwhile, is being extra cautious with a groin injury that he originally suffered in February and aggravated on March 29.

“I’m trying to get it 100 percent so that when I do play I don’t have to worry about re-injuring it,” Vokoun said. “I found out the hard way you can’t hurry something like that. I never had an injury like that before and I mismanaged it from my point of view.

“It might be fine for the first five saves, but after that when you get tired you lose strength in it and you can re-injure it.”