Backstrom (hip), who announced last Wednesday that he's temporarily stepping away from hockey to focus on his health, was moved to the long-term injured reserve list Wednesday.
It was already expected that Backstrom would be out for a while, but this move serves to confirm that notion. He had an assist in eight contests before beginning his break from hockey. With Backstrom unavailable, Dylan Strome seems to have cemented himself on the Capitals' top line.
Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Taking time off to focus on health
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Backstrom, who underwent hip surgery in 2022 but has been playing this season, announced Wednesday he would be temporarily stepping away from hockey to focus on his health. Additionally, Backstrom has been placed on injured reserve, per the NHL media site.
Backstrom cited his "injury situation" in his explanation for taking time off from hockey, but he didn't specify if his hip is the issue or if there is a different problem. The 35-year-old also didn't provide a potential timetable for his return, but given the nature of the announcement, it seems fair to believe he'll miss a decent chunk of time at a minimum. Backstrom has just one assist in eight contests while averaging 14:34 of ice time this year, and if he's been playing injured, that would explain his lack of production and limited role. Hendrix Lapierre, who was recalled Sunday, might play regularly during Backstrom's absence.
Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Generates first assist
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Backstrom notched an assist in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Devils.
Backstrom snapped his season-opening drought with the secondary helper on Connor McMichael's third-period goal. Playing in a middle-six role and on the second power-play unit, Backstrom isn't expected to produce as much as he has in past seasons this year. He's at 11 shots on net, five blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through six contests.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Mired in slump
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Backstrom has no points and has managed a minus-3 rating and 10 shots through the first five games.
The Capitals are struggling overall, but Backstrom is averaging the lowest ice time (15:54) of his career. He's been been removed from the top line and was recently moved off the top power-play unit with Dylan Strome replacing him on both units. The 35-year-old Backstrom is bound to start producing again and this slump could be the residual effects of his recovery from the hip resurfacing surgery he had in 2022, but fantasy managers are bound to be spooked by the early returns.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Goal and assist in victory
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Backstrom scored a goal and an assist on two shots, leading the Capitals to a 6-1 win over the Blackhawks on Thursday.
The second star of the game, Backstrom would give the Capitals a 4-0 lead on the power play, scoring on a loose puck in front of Anton Khudobin. The Swedish forward would also add an assist on John Carlson's power-play goal. Backstrom seems to be heating up as of late, scoring points in four of his last five games with five points in that span. On the season, Backstrom has six goals and 17 points in 30 games.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Scores in loss Friday
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Backstrom collected a goal in a 5-2 loss to St. Louis on Friday.
Backstrom didn't make his season debut until Jan. 8 because of a hip injury, and he hasn't lived up to his usual offensive standards since returning. Through 27 outings in 2022-23, Backstrom has five goals and 14 points. The 35-year-old has recorded a point in three of his last four games though, so perhaps he's heating up.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Scores goal vs. Islanders
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Backstrom netted a goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Islanders.
Backstrom's marker in the third period extended the Capitals' lead to 5-1. He's up to four goals and 12 points in 24 contests this season. Backstrom didn't score a goal over his previous nine outings, though he did have four assists in that span.
Backstrom logged a power-play assist in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Kings.
Backstrom helped out on Alex Ovechkin's third-period tally. While he hasn't scored in his last eight games, Backstrom has provided four assists, including three on the power play, in that span. The 35-year-old center has 11 points, 34 shots on net, 18 hits, 12 blocked shots and a minus-14 rating through 22 contests this season.
Backstrom notched an assist in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks.
Backstrom has picked up three helpers over his last six games, though he's also gone minus-3 in that span. The 35-year-old center is up to 10 points through 20 contests this season, and he's added 33 shots on net, 16 hits, 12 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating while filling a middle-six spot in the lineup.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Another power-play goal
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Backstrom scored a power-play goal Saturday in a 2-1 win over Boston.
It was his second power-play snipe in his last three games. Backstrom has six points in 11 games since his return from offseason hip surgery. Just beware his plus-minus -- he has been burned with a minus-seven rating over his last seven games. It could be a sign his foot speed is lagging at even strength. Backstrom could still deliver solid fantasy scoring over the last 30 games with the right deployment, including continued power play time.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Nets first of season
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Backstrom scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Backstrom opened the scoring Sunday on the power play, firing a wrist shot through traffic that got past Ilya Samsonov. It's the first goal of the season for Backstrom in his eighth game since returning from offseason hip surgery. The 35-year-old center now has six points on the year after recording 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) in 47 games last season.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Returns to practice
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Backstrom (illness) was back on the ice in the lead-up to Thursday's clash with Pittsburgh, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
After missing out versus the Avs on Tuesday, Backstrom appears set to get back on the ice Thursday. Since making his season debut Jan. 8 versus the Blue Jackets, Backstrom is still searching for his first goal of the season while recording three assists, 14 shots and seven hits in seven contests. Backstrom should be in line for not only a top-six role but also seeing minutes with the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Not playing Tuesday
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Backstrom (illness) won't play Tuesday versus the Avalanche.
Backstrom and T.J. Oshie (personal) are both unavailable, while Alex Ovechkin (lower body) is a game-time decision, which could leave the Capitals thin up front. Alexei Protas will likely take Backstrom's place in the lineup Tuesday.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Bags apple Thursday
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Backstrom tallied an assist and three shots during Thursday's 4-0 win over the Coyotes.
Despite coming close to netting his first goal of the season, Backstrom came away from Washington's 4-0 victory with his third helper in six games since returning from major hip surgery in the offseason. The 35-year-old should only get better as he shakes the rust off, so fantasy managers patient enough to stash Backstrom on their rosters should get some healthy dividends for the balance of the 2022-23 season.
