Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky is expected to be in Washington's lineup tonight against the New York Rangers, his first game since he broke his left thumb in late October. Burakovsky had surgery and has missed the past 20 games. "That's the word on the street," Burakovsky said. "Talked to [coach Barry Trotz], and I'm cleared to go." To activate Burakovsky off long-term injured reserve, the Capitals cleared cap and roster space by re-assigning forward Travis Boyd to the American Hockey League and then placing forward Tyler Graovac on waivers with the intent of sending him down to the AHL, if he clears. Washington waived forward Nathan Walker last week, and he was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers. In his first season with the Capitals, Graovac played just five games, never recording a point, though he missed some time with a shoulder injury. Forward T.J. Oshie is considered "day-to-day" with an undisclosed upper-body injury, missing Wednesday's game. He didn't practice on Thursday, so he isn't expected to play tonight, meaning the Capitals will be without an extra healthy forward. Alex Chiasson will continue playing in Oshie's spot on the right wing of second-line center Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Burakovsky will make his return on the third line with center Lars Eller and Brett Connolly. That trio had success last season, until Burakovsky injured his right hand and missed 15 games.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan, The Washington Post
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Alabama State hires formerMorgan St. coach Hill-Eley
Alabama State hired Donald Hill-Eley, a former head coach at Morgan State, as its 29th football coach. Eley was named interim coach after ASU fired Brian Jenkins, who finished with a 10-17 record over two-plus seasons. "Coach Hill-Eley is a veteran who has already proven his ability to provide the kind of leadership that is needed for the University's football program," said Alabama State president Quinton T. Ross Jr. Hill-Eley led the Hornets to a 5-1 record, including a victory over Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic at Birmingham. Eley spent 12 seasons as head coach at Morgan State, winning 59 games. Eley was associate head coach the previous two years at ASU.
College football: Navy senior outside linebacker D.J. Palmore and senior inside linebacker Micah Thomas were named to the All-East second team by the Eastern College Athletic Conference. The All-East team is made up of players from Army, Navy, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple, Boston College, Massachusetts, Maryland, Syracuse, Rutgers and Connecticut.
College field hockey: The Maryland coaching was named the NFHCA Mid Atlantic Regional Coaching Staff of the Year. Head coach Missy Meharg, assistant coaches Katie Bam and Marvin Bam and volunteer assistant coach Stefanie Fee were recognized. Maryland won 11 of 13 games to end the season to make a run to its 18th NCAA Final Four as a program. It marked Meharg's 30th season at the helm of the Maryland program. She's led them to a record of 543-135-9 (.797), seven NCAA titles, 23 conference titles and 17 Final Fours. She has been named NFHCA National Coach of the Year an unprecedented nine times.
Para swimming: Baltimore's Jessica Long captured two more gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City. Long, a 13-time Paralympic champion, brought her individual event gold medal total to five. She claimed the world title in the S8 400 free (5:01.57) and the S8 100 butterfly (1:12.81). She also has won two relay golds. McKenzie Coan (Loyola Maryland) stood atop the podium for the fourth time, winning the the S7 400 free (5:22.02). Lawrence Sapp (Waldorf) completed his world championship debut with a first-place finish and American record in the S14 100 back (1:06.42). In the SB13 class, Becca Meyers (Notre Dame Prep) secured bronze (1:26.43) and Zach Shattuck (Mount Airy) won a bronze in the 4x100 34-point medley relay (4:55.79).
Women's college basketball: Freshman Kristen Teklits scored 14 points, but host UMBC (1-9) fell 70-48 to Denver (6-4). The Pioneers finished with a 21-9 run in the fourth quarter.
— From Sun staff and news services