Capitals’ Pacioretty suffers lower-body injury, not related to Achilles

Washington Capitals left wing Max Pacioretty (67) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

Washington Capitals forward Max Pacioretty exited Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury in the third period.

“Not sure exactly the extent of it, just not related to his previous injury,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said after a 5-4 overtime loss.

Pacioretty played in his first game in nearly a year on Jan. 3, when he returned from tearing his Achilles for the second time.

Pacioretty said he considered retirement during the rehab.

The first Achilles tear came in the summer of 2022, after the Carolina Hurricanes acquired him in a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights. He returned to the ice for five games with the Hurricanes before suffering the second Achilles tear.

Pacioretty signed a one-year deal with the Capitals before this season. He has one goal and six assists for seven points in 12 games.

The Montreal Canadiens’ 2007 first-round pick and former captain has 652 points in 867 career NHL games.

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