More news is slowly coming out about just how banged up the Capitals were in the playoffs. Forward Marcus Johansson, the Caps hero in the first round of the playoffs, was playing with a fractured finger.
On Thursday, Johansson was asked by Aftonbladet’s Per Bjurman on if he would participate in the 2017 World Championship. Johansson said he doubted it and then revealed the nature of his injury.
“I would absolutely have gone to the World Championship, but I doubt it since I have a fractured finger and might have to operate,” Johansson said to Bjurman per a translation by Magnus Cadelin.
According to a source close to the team, Johansson suffered the injury during Game One of the Capitals second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Johansson used a numbing spray on his finger to play through the injury.
Johansson did not score and tallied three assists in the Penguins series. He was also on the ice for four even-strength Penguins goals during Games One and Two.
First-line center Nicklas Backstrom appears to be the only Caps Swede who will suit up for Sweden during the World Championship.
S/T to Isabelle Khurshudyan for first tweeting story.
