Caps' Green will not play against Rangers Sunday

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green will not play against the New York Rangers on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.

Green left practice early Saturday with a lower-body injury and did not partake in Sunday's optional morning skate. Capitals coach Adam Oates said he doesn't expect Green to miss more than one game and Tom Poti will slot into his spot in the lineup.

"I think he's our best D but will see how it goes," Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said. "It's going to hurt us, but we're going to have to different guys on the PP and different guys are going to have more ice time."

Green leads the Capitals in time on ice at 26:33 per game, which is sixth in the NHL, and 4:43 per game of power-play time. He also leads the team's defensemen in scoring with 2 goals and 7 points in 11 games.

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