Jeff Schultz may play in Game 1 on Thursday in Boston after sitting as a healthy scratch for five straight contests to end the regular season. He has been paired with Dennis Wideman at practice recently, with rookie Dmitry Orlov skating as the odd man out, and was told to stay "ready" by the Capitals as they prepare to face the defending Stanley Cup champions. "Whatever happens, happens," said Schultz, who admittedly isn't sure if he'll be in the lineup. "The mind frame I need to have if I get in is not to worry about making mistakes or anything like that. If they make a change, they make a change. If not, just build off each game."

Jeff Schultz will draw back into Washington's lineup on Wednesday night. His last game action came on Dec. 31 and this will mark just the seventh time he has suited up since Dale Hunter took over the coaching reigns in late November. "He's a defensive defenseman, we want to see him play sound defensively because he's not an offensive D and he's not going to be a tough guy out there," said Hunter when asked what he expects of Schultz against Florida. "So, we need him to be a defensive defenseman." The 25-year-old blueliner has contributed five assists and a plus-1 rating in 27 games.

Jeff Schultz has been a healthy scratch in all but two of the Capitals' contests since December 7th. Schultz comes with a $2.75 million annual cap hit and is signed through the 2013-14 campaign, but since Dale Hunter took over as the Capitals coach, Schultz has gotten very few opportunities to prove himself. "It's something that I've never gone through in my career," Schultz said. "You think you're doing things that you know can help you get back out there, but you just don't have a sense or an idea of what is working what isn't working. Or how to get in and why you're sitting out - stuff like that." Schultz said that he hasn't requested a trade.

Jeff Schultz returned to Washington's lineup on Tuesday night after being scratched for the previous four games. Rugged defenseman John Erskine watched the match from the press box as a result. Schultz has five assists and a plus-1 rating in 26 games this season, but played just 6:01 of ice time in the Capitals' 4-1 victory over Nashville.

Jeff Schultz has trained hard over the summer to rebound from a disappointing season in 2010-11. He posted 23 points and a remarkable plus-50 rating in 2009-10, but tailed off considerably to a plus-6 rating and 10 points last campaign. Schultz feels the work he did on his upper body strength and his endurance will pay off this year. However, he will have to make a good impression at training camp to remain in the Capitals' top-six group after Roman Hamrlik was brought in as a free agent and Dennis Wideman is ready to return from injury.