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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
Backstrom notched an assist, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Islanders.
Backstrom has logged two assists over four contests since making his season debut last Sunday. The 35-year-old has slowly built up his ice time -- he ranked third among Capitals forwards with 18:29 in Monday's victory. The center has added seven shots on net, five hits, four blocked shots and a plus-1 rating. He's maintained a middle-six role, but there's always a possibility he could eventually reunite with Alex Ovechkin on the top line.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Returning Sunday
Rotowire
Backstrom (hip) will make his season debut against the Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Backstrom has come a long way since undergoing offseason hip re-surfacing surgery to return from an injury that was speculated to keep him out of the lineup for most of the season. The 35-year-old is likely to reclaim his spot in the top six and on the top power-play unit, but line combinations are still in flux with Tom Wilson (knee) set to return to action Sunday versus Columbus as well. Fantasy managers should keep short-term expectations in check as Backstrom will likely need some time to shake the rust off given his lengthy absence, but get ready to plug him into your lineups.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Practicing Monday
Rotowire
Backstrom (hip) was cleared from COVID-19 protocols and was on the ice for Monday's practice, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Backstrom landed in the virus protocols while working his way back from a hip injury that has held him out the entire season to this point. The 35-year-old is taking contact and going through normal practice routines indicating a likely return in the not-too-distant future, but an exact return date has yet to be announced so fantasy managers will have to continue to be patient.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Lands in virus protocols
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Backstrom (hip) entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Wednesday, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Although he began practicing in a full-contact jersey on Dec. 17, Backstrom's still on long-term injured reserve and remains without a clear-cut timetable for his season debut, so this latest development may not affect his timeline. Another update on the 35-year-old Swede should surface once he's activated off the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Practicing in full-contact jersey
Rotowire
Backstrom (hip) practiced in a full-contact jersey Saturday, per Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic.
Backstrom has yet to play this season after undergoing hip surgery in June. Practicing without limitations is a big step toward his return to the lineup, though a definite timeline has yet to be established. The 35-year-old center logged six goals and 25 assists in 47 games last year.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Ramping up involvement
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Backstrom (hip) is now traveling with the Capitals and ramping up his involvement in practices, but he remains without a timetable for his return to action, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.
This is certainly encouraging news for Backstrom, who has yet to play this season after undergoing left hip resurfacing surgery in mid-June, but he remains without a definite timeline to make his season debut. If and when he's cleared to play, the Capitals may ease Backstrom back into action by limiting his ice time early on.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: On the ice Saturday
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Backstrom (hip) is skating before practice Saturday, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
This is a great first step for Backstrom, who missed training camp and the first 19 games of the season while recovering from offseason hip resurfacing surgery. Don't expect Backstrom back until January at the earliest.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Going on LTIR
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Backstrom (hip) was moved to long-term injured reserve Monday, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
Backstrom underwent left hip resurfacing surgery in mid-June. A timetable for his return has not been provided, but it is expected to be a "lengthy" process.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Expected to begin on-ice work
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Backstrom (hip) is expected to begin on-ice work within the next week, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.
Backstrom hasn't been on the ice since undergoing resurfacing surgery on his left hip in June. El-Bashir adds that Backstrom won't be doing anything strenuous once he's back on skates, so he remains in the early stages of his recovery. The 34-year-old center is not expected to return before January, and it's a difficult procedure he's coming back from, so his status for the season will depend on how he progresses as he adds more stress on his hip.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Undergoes hip procedure
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Backstrom underwent resurfacing surgery on his left hip Friday. There is currently no timetable for his return.
Backstrom will reportedly face a "lengthy" recovery and it's unclear when the team will have a better idea of his return timeline. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff notes that former Duck, Ryan Kesler, underwent this surgery in 2019 and never returned to the NHL. Backstrom missed the first 28 games of the 2021-22 campaign with a hip injury and was limited to 47 appearances all season. The 34-year-old tallied 31 points while averaging 17:29 of ice time.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Tips in goal
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Backstrom scored a goal on five shots and added two PIM in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Panthers in Game 6.
Backstrom redirected a Justin Schultz shot into the net at 1:37 of the third period. Though the Capitals lost the series 4-2, Backstrom was productive with a goal and five helpers in six contests. He added 16 shots on net, seven hits and a plus-1 rating while centering the second line.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Three-game point streak
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Backstrom delivered two assists in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
Backstrom has one goal and three assists in three games this series, having marked the scoresheet in each one. He's up to 75 playoff helpers in his storied career, which puts him within two apples of the top-50 postseason playmakers all time.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Sitting out season finale
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Backstrom (rest) won't be in the lineup for Friday's regular-season finale against the Rangers, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
With Backstrom getting the night off, look for Connor McMichael to draw into the lineup versus New York. Backstrom will return to his usual featured role for Game 1 of Washington's first-round playoff series against the Panthers.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Sets up opening tally
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Backstrom recorded an assist in Friday's 2-0 win over the Coyotes.
Backstrom set up Conor Sheary for the opening goal at 11:33 of the first period. It looked like that would be the only tally until John Carlson doubled the Capitals' lead with an empty-netter in the final minute of the game. Backstrom has earned three assists in his last six games since returning from an undisclosed injury. The center has 31 points, 66 shots on net and a minus-8 rating through 44 appearances.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Returning Tuesday
Rotowire
Backstrom (undisclosed) is slated to return Tuesday against the Flyers, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Backstrom was back in his usual spot centering the second line between Anthony Mantha and Tom Wilson during the morning skate and appears to be good to go after being rested for Sunday's win over the Bruins. The 34-year-old has a goal and five points in his last six games and should be a worthwhile fantasy play in all formats.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Not playing Sunday
Rotowire
Backstrom (maintenance) is not in the lineup Sunday against visiting Boston.
Nothing had been mentioned about Backstrom's status until a few minutes prior to pregame warmups. It sounds like the 34-year-old is simply taking a maintenance day to stay fresh for the postseason, so there isn't a reason right now to expect him to miss time beyond Sunday. Backstrom's first chance to return will come Tuesday at home against Philadelphia.
