Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Surprise scratch Friday

Backstrom (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Friday's game against the Devils, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

The nature of Backstrom's issue remains a mystery, but the Capitals will have to try and find a way to generate offense without one of their best centers against Cory Schneider and the Devils on Friday. Washington should update Backstrom's status ahead of Saturday's game against the Flyers.