Capitals defenseman John Carlson revealed to Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic (subscription link) that the upper-body injury that has kept him out close to three months was a small skull fracture above his right ear and a severed temporal artery. Back in January, his ear had to be partially reattached, likely due to that severed artery. The veteran has started skating and is believed to be targeting Thursday’s game against Chicago as a potential return date. Carlson’s absence has played a big role in Washington’s decline this season and while his suiting up won’t change their fortunes now, it’ll still be important for him to get back and show that he has indeed fully recovered.