Capitals' Beagle to be sidelined 'an extended period of time'

The Washington Capitals are on quite the roll with nine straight victories, but they lost a bit of grit during Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

Veteran forward Jay Beagle suffered an upper-body injury during the second period and was promptly placed on injured reserve Thursday. Coach Barry Trotz didn't go into detail on the precise nature of the ailment for the 30-year-old Calgary native, who has collected six goals and as many assists in 35 games this season.

Via the Washington Post:

Signed to a three-year, $5.25 million contract in the offseason, Beagle has stepped up while playing in the third-line center position.

Washington also placed Brooks Orpik (lower body) on long-term injured reserve and recalled fellow defenseman Aaron Ness from Hershey of the American Hockey League.

The banged-up Capitals will play the opener of a five-game road trip versus the Metropolitan Division-rival Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.