After missing four consecutive games with an upper-body injury, defenseman Justin Schultz said that “I feel good. Body’s fine. Face is feeling fine” after Monday’s Washington Capitals’ practice. He added that his teeth are damaged but healing. He was hit with a puck in the face during the Capitals‘ 6-3 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday, January 28.
“I think it’s day-to-day. … Let’s see how I respond to this and go from there,” the 30-year-old responded when asked whether he will play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington locally, NBCSN nationally).
Schultz told the media that he lost a couple of teeth and has a couple of small fractures there “but nothing too serious.” He is getting used to wearing a cage. He wore one in during his collegiate career.
On why he wears No. 2, Schultz said “no reason. Easy number. Pretty simple.” He wore No. 4 with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2016-20 but the number is occupied by defenseman Brenden Dillon with the Capitals.
When asked whether he was frustrated after he got hurt as he was playing well before the injury and leads the Capitals with a +9 rating, Schultz said “I was feeling good. Obviously, gaining some confidence.” He added that he hopes to pick up where he left off since he did not miss too much time.
By Harrison Brown