19 Nicklas Backstrom C

Backstrom will not participate in the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Backstrom listed "injury" as the reason for declining the invitation, and though he hinted that he was bothered by some kind of issue during the playoffs, no further update has been provided. The 31-year-old center finished with 74 points in 80 games -- while adding five goals and eight points in seven postseason contests -- during 2018-19 and should be a top fantasy playmaker again in 2019-20.

Backstrom scored twice on four shots and added two helpers in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.

The four-point outing doubled his playoff output to eight points. Backstrom has taken on the finisher role with five goals in as many games in the series. He's added 11 hits and 15 shots on goal. Three of his points have come with a man advantage.

Backstrom scored a goal on four shots and added a helper in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win against the Hurricanes in Game 2 of their first-round series.

Backstrom has been on fire to open the series, scoring three times across the two games to pace the Capitals' offense. He's more noted as a playmaker, but fantasy owners will certainly appreciate the goals as well. Backstrom had 74 points in 80 contests this season, and he's living up to his first-line center role quite effectively so far in the playoffs.

Backstrom scored the game's first two goals, as Washington defeated Carolina 4-2 on Thursday in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

Backstrom's second goal was of the power-play variety and doubled Washington's lead before Alex Ovechkin stretched it to three prior to the end of the first period. Carolina would get to within one goal, but the Capitals would ultimately hold on for a critical Game 1 victory.

Backstrom (rest) suited up for Monday's practice, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Backstrom was rested for Saturday's game against the Islanders and is expected to play in Game 1 of Washington's series against the Hurricanes. The Swede will likely be an elite postseason fantasy option after producing 74 points in 80 games this campaign.

As expected, Backstrom (rest) won't play Saturday against the Islanders, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will get a break ahead of the Stanley Cup quarterfinals against the Hurricanes. The elite playmaker finishes the regular season with 22 goals and 52 assists -- including 25 power-play points -- over 80 games.

Backstrom wore a white jersey at morning skate Saturday, which suggests that he could miss the regular-season finale against the Islanders for rest, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

We'll be looking out for official confirmation from the Capitals that Backstrom will be rested in the final regular-season showdown, but it certainly appears that he's trending that way since Khurshudyan notes that top-six, power-play participants at morning skate usually wear red.

Backstrom scored two goals and added an assist in Saturday's 6-3 win over Tampa Bay.

Backstrom now has 21 goals and 73 points, and he has recorded at least 20 goals for four straight seasons and at least 70 points for six. Talk about consistency. Backstrom is an automatic play.

Backstrom registered an assist while logging 14:37 of ice time during Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Devils.

Backstrom has hit the 50-helper mark in each of the last six seasons and is second only to San Jose's Joe Thornton for the most 50-assist seasons among active players with nine in his 13 seasons as a pro. This is further proof that the 31-year-old center is one of the top playmakers in the game and a must-start every time he takes the ice.

Backstrom picked up two assists, one on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Penguins.

The veteran playmaker has hit the scoresheet in four straight games and seven of the last eight, racking up five goals and 11 points over that stretch, Backstrom is now three points shy of his sixth straight 70-point campaign, but given his current form and the games left on the calendar, his fourth career 80-point season isn't out of the question.

Backstrom finished a minus-1 but scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 road victory versus Philadelphia.

The assist came on a power play, giving Backstrom 23 such points in 2018-19. Wednesday saw the Swede finish with two points, something he's now done three times in his past five games. The 31-year-old is up to 16 goals and 63 points in 2018-19.

Backstrom recorded two assists -- including one on the power-play -- and a plus-2 rating during Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Senators.

Backstrom has been hot of late with two goals and seven points in his last seven games. The 31-year-old Swede is an elite playmaker and should finish with 50-plus assists for the sixth straight season if he can stay healthy.

Backstrom scored two goals in Sunday's 6-5 overtime win over the Rangers.

The goals were his first since the All-Star break, ending a 12-game drought during which Backstrom had managed only five assists. The 31-year-old now has 15 goals and 58 points through 62 games, keeping him on pace for his sixth straight 70-point campaign.

Backstrom tallied two assists and a plus-3 rating during Thursday's 5-1 win over the Sharks.

Backstrom snapped a season-long four-game point drought Thursday and is up to 13 goals and 55 points in 57 games. The 31-year-old Swede is not likely to find himself in such a scoring drought very often, so keep starting the talented playmaker regularly.

Backstrom scored a power-play goal and added an assist at even strength in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

While the Caps have now lost seven straight, Backstrom's actually been on a bit of a roll, scoring two goals and six points in his last five games. The 31-year-old is now one power-play point shy of 20 for the sixth consecutive season, and he's on a point-a-game pace with 51 points (13 goals, 38 helpers) through 49 contests heading into the All-Star break.

Backstrom tallied a power-play goal, a minus-3 rating and six shots during Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Predators.

It was a night to forget for the Capitals, but Backstrom has been shooting the puck with more success in the last four games, with two goals and 15 shots during that span. If the 31-year-old has a weakness, it's that he doesn't generate enough shots to keep defenders honest. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect a breakout goal-scoring performance by the Swedish center, but his overall offense could tick up if he can become more of a dual threat, thereby opening up better passing lanes for his exceptional playmaking skills.

Backstrom, returning from an illness that caused him to miss Tuesday's contest, tallied a goal and a plus-2 rating while losing 11 of 14 faceoffs taken during Thursday's 4-2 win over the Bruins.

Backstrom's 11th goal of the season is his first marker since Dec. 4 and gives him 45 points in 41 games rounding into the second half of the 2018-19 season. The 31-year-old Swede is one of the great playmakers in the NHL, so keep him fixed in your lineups.

Backstrom (illness) expects to be in the lineup Thursday against the Bruins, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Backstrom missed Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Flyers but is trending toward being ready for a Thursday showdown with the Bruins. Check back for final confirmation but all signs point to an imminent return for the 29-year-old Swede.

Backstrom (illness) was on the ice for Wednesday's optional practice, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom's presence is a good indication that he's feeling better and that the illness that kept him out of the lineup for Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Flyers is finishing its course. Check back for updates, but there's a good chance the 31-year-old Swede will be ready to go Thursday against the Bruins.

Backstrom (illness) wasn't present for warmups and won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Flyers, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will miss his first game of the season, vaulting Lars Eller into the second-line center position flanked by T.J. Oshie and Jakub Vrana. Backstrom has been a stud this year with 44 points in 41 games, 16 of which have come with the man advantage.