Jack Hillen (knee) is back with the Capitals after participating in a conditioning game with AHL Hershey on Tuesday. Hillen thinks he's almost ready to play for Washington, but doesn't think he'll return on Thursday. Capitals coach Adam Oates sounded more optimistic though. "We'll see how he feels in the morning," Oates said. "He's got to be ready to play. If he can play, he'll play. Obviously, we've got to listen to the player, but [Thursday] morning he may wake up and say, 'Wow, I feel better than I thought I would.'" Not counting the conditioning game, Hillen hasn't played since Oct. 3.