Groin surgery ends season for Caps’ Laich

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after surgery on a groin muscle.

The Capitals announced Monday on Twitter that Laich “underwent a successful procedure to release a tight adductor,’’ which is part of the groin.

The team said a full recovery usually takes four to six weeks. Washington’s last regular-season game is April 13.

Laich missed two of the past three games for Washington, which entered Monday ninth in the Eastern Conference, one spot out of a playoff berth. He has eight goals and seven assists this season.

Hampered by a groin injury, Laich played in only nine games last season. The Capitals play Tuesday at the Anaheim Ducks. Meanwhile, Toronto goaltender Jonathan Bernier has a groin strain and is “believed to be day to day,’’ the Maple Leafs said.

The team posted an update on Bernier from coach Randy Carlyle on its Twitter account.

The injury was revealed when Bernier underwent an MRI earlier Monday. Bernier left Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

AP