In just the second minute of the opening period at the Verizon Center with the Capitals on a power play, Howard was injured while trying to stop a goal by Troy Brouwer on a wrap-around.
Howard did the reverse splits on the play and was unable to continue. He was taken from the ice on a stretcher and replaced by Peter Mrazek. Howard was immediately ruled out from returning to the game with a groin injury.
The Capitals went on to post a 3-1 victory.
