The Capitals were thrilled when defenseman Mike Green returned from sports hernia surgery last month, finally putting a year's worth of health woes behind him. But it is never that easy. Green is back on the ice, but that's different than being back to the 70-point player the team needs.

Green won't admit to being limited physically. But it's clear his timing is off. In 10 games, Green has yet to record a point and is a minus-2. He has a legitimate excuse after appearing in just three games between Oct. 22 and Feb. 18.

"I'm just happy that I can play without any pain or whatnot," said Green, who also missed most of the final two months of 2011-12 with a pair of concussions before returning for the playoffs. "As far as getting my feel back, it's taken a lot longer. I didn't play there for however many months. Sometimes you can lose a step or whatnot or your feel for the game, and it's taken me some time to kind of get back into it."

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Both Green and coach Dale Hunter insist the coaches' 1-2-2 defensive system is just a minor adjustment. Hockey is hockey, after all, and it will take time to rebuild his game. Unfortunately, the Caps don't have much left this season.

"Right now I feel like I'm kind of like a robot," Green said. "I'm in position when really the mental part of the game where it just flows and you create and you see things before they even happen -- that's the part of the game that I think has kind of taken a step back. But hopefully it peaks soon."

- Brian McNally

bmcnally@washingtonexaminer.com