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Capitals’ Ward skates Monday; could he play Thursday?

Washington Capitals v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 7: Joel Ward #42 of the Washington Capitals skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the game at Consol Energy Center on February 7, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward skated Monday, as per Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington.

Could he make an appearance in the Eastern Conference quarter-final against the New York Rangers, when that series begins on Thursday?

“I still think he needs practice,” Capitals head coach Adam Oates told CSN Washington.

“I don’t want to put him in without getting any time on the ice. I think it’s been too long. A couple practices will sure help.”

Ward, the Capitals’ 32-year-old winger who had eight goals and 20 points this season, hasn’t played since April 7, when he blocked a Sami Salo slap shot (according to this Washington Post article from April 9).

There was also an update on injured Washington forward Brooks Laich, who, according to numerous reports, underwent sports hernia surgery earlier this month.

“He’s on the way to recovery right now and as soon as he can recover we’ll get him in,” Oates told the Washington Post. “You know how he is, he’s trying as hard as he can to get there and we’ve just got to be careful.”