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
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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
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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.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Big game on big night
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Backstrom scored a goal and added an assist in a 4-3 win over the Devils on Saturday.
Before the game, Backstrom was honored for reaching 1,000 NHL points, and that inspiration may have fueled his great game. He put the Caps up 3-2 in the third when got to a loose puck and beat Nico Daws far side with a quick wrist shot from the left circle. Caps fans immediately showered the ice with the red rubber apples the team gave out to commemorate Backstrom's milestone. The celebration caused a five-minute delay as the mess got shoveled up. After the game, Backstrom reveled in the moment: "I was like, this is amazing. I mean, I didn't score a hat trick, but it was fun that the crowd did it. It was hilarious... just an awesome experience."
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Inflicts damage on Jackets
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Backstrom posted two assists -- including a power-play helper -- in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Blue Jackets.
Backstrom joined the 1000-point club earlier this month and he doesn't seem bothered by the hip injury that caused him to miss training camp and kept him off the ice for 24 games. The venerable pivot has contributed five goals, 17 assists and 10 power-play points through 29 contests this season.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Joins 1,000-point club
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Backstrom scored a goal on three shots, dished a power-play assist and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Oilers.
Backstrom joined the 1,000-point club with the assist on T.J. Oshie's tally at 6:13 of the third period. The 34-year-old Backstrom is the sixth Swedish-born player to achieve the milestone. In his 1,037-game career, the center has picked up 263 goals and 737 assists. In 2021-22, he's earned 20 points (nine on the power play), 48 shots on net and a minus-2 rating through 26 contests. He surged to the milestone mark with six points in his last six outings.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Assists in consecutive contests
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Backstrom logged an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Flames.
Backstrom helped out on Anthony Mantha's game-tying goal, sending the winger into the zone with a leading pass. The 34-year-old Backstrom is in fine playmaking form with four helpers in his last five contests. The Swede is up to 18 points, 45 shots on net and a minus-4 rating in 25 outings this season.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Records power-play helper
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Backstrom notched a power-play assist and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Kraken.
Backstrom helped out on Alex Ovechkin's third-period marker. With three helpers in the last four games, it appears Backstrom is back on track on offense. The 34-year-old center has racked up 17 points (eight on the power play), 45 shots on net and a minus-4 rating in 24 contests overall. He's now three points shy of the 1,000-point mark in his career.
Backstrom recorded an assist in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Backstrom has picked up assists in each of his last two outings after a span of netting just one goal in six games. The 34-year-old set up Conor Sheary's first-period marker Monday. With 16 points, 43 shots on net and a minus-3 rating in 22 contests this season, Backstrom has performed well in a second-line role. Given the Capitals' recent struggles, it's fair to wonder if the Swede may be reunited with Alex Ovechkin on the top line soon.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Will play versus New York
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Backstrom (personal) will play Thursday versus the Rangers, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Backstrom missed practice Tuesday due to a personal matter, but he'll be available for Thursday's matchup with the Rangers. The 34-year-old pivot has tallied 14 points through 19 contests this campaign.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Dealing with personal matter
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Backstrom was excused from practice Tuesday due to a personal issue, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.
The team didn't provide any sort of update regarding Backstrom's availability against the Rangers on Thursday, so for now he should probably be considered questionable, at best. The veteran center has been struggling of late with just one goal and no assists in his last five contests while putting eight shots on net. If Backstrom misses significant time, Lars Eller should be expected to replace him on the second line.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Paces offense with three points
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Backstrom scored a goal on two shots and added two power-play assists in Friday's 5-0 win over the Stars.
Backstrom helped out on the first two goals of the game, then scored the fifth and final tally late in the second period. The Swede has looked solid in January with three goals and six helpers in nine games. He's up to 12 points (five on the power play), 29 shots on net and a plus-3 rating through 12 contests overall. Even separated from Alex Ovechkin at even strength, Backstrom remains a strong scoring presence at 34 years old.
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Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom: Keeps producing
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Backstrom chipped in an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Sharks on Wednesday.
Backstrom has two goals and two assists across his last four games now after helping Daniel Sprong on his third period strike. The veteran center has missed plenty of time with injury this season, but is still hovering right around a point per game, with nine points across 11 contests.
