Tomas Vokoun Has a "Sensitive Groin"

Tuesday on Long Island, Tomas Vokoun was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate ahead of the Caps' game that night against the Islanders, and his early departure raised eyebrows. When asked about whether or not his veteran goaltender was hurt, head coach Dale Hunter responded, "Nope. No. just practice was over."

That same morning, Capitals Goaltender Coach Dave Prior sat down with radio play-by-play man John Walton and had this to say about Vokoun:

With Tomas getting our first two wins of these three, he didn't play against Toronto because of the back-to-back situation and would have likely come in here, but we're just resting him with a bit of a sensitive groin this time of year, and it's important to stay on top of those.... [Audio here; comment begins at around the 8:48 mark]

It's mid-March. Almost no one is 100% healthy, but rather "healthy enough"... or not. Luckily for the Caps (who start a three-games-in-four-nights stretch on Friday in Winnipeg), the alternative to starting Vokoun on Tuesday night was Michal Neuvirth, a guy coming off a shutout two nights earlier. So giving Vokoun a bit more time made perfect sense... even if he wasn't hurt and practice was just over.

(H/t bagace on the pointer)