19 Nicklas Backstrom C

Backstrom (concussion) had three shots and was minus-2 in Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Islanders in Game 5.

Backstrom was back in the lineup for the first time since Game 1 but was largely ineffective in his 16:42 of ice time. In his defense, the entire Washington offense was silenced in the series clincher. The 32-year-old Backstrom had but a single assist in his five postseason games, with that lone point coming way back in the round-robin opener. He will enter the 2020-21 season needing just 73 points to reach 1,000 for his career.

Backstrom (concussion) will return to the lineup for Thursday's Game 5 matchup against the Islanders.

Backstrom was considered a game-time call for the pivotal matchup, but as evidenced by this news, the Swede will return to the lineup for the first time since Game 1. Now healthy, look for Backstrom to assume his usual second-line role while mixing in on the top power-play unit. He hasn't quite clicked in the bubble since the NHL restarted its season, however, garnering just one assist across 16:37 of average ice time. Considering his entrance back into the lineup, Brian Pinho will come out of the lineup and push Lars Eller into a third-line role.

Backstrom (concussion) will be a game-time call for Thursday's Game 5 against the Islanders, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Backstrom has skated with the Capitals' extras for three consecutive days, so if he's able to join the main group for Thursday's morning skate, he'll have a great shot at returning to action for a must-win Game 5. The 32-year-old pivot has picked up one helper in four games thus far this postseason.

Backstrom (concussion) isn't on the ice for warmups and won't be a part of the lineup for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will miss his third consecutive contest while dealing with the concussion. He took part in Monday's practice, but he still appears to be in the league's concussion protocol. This is a tough break for the team and the Swede, especially considering Washington is on the brink of elimination Tuesday. With Backstrom sidelined again, expect Lars Eller to continue to handle second-line center duties.

Backstrom (concussion) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom has missed Washington's last two games while in the NHL's concussion protocol, but he skated Monday, and he was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate, which suggests he'll have a real shot at returning to action in Game 4. That'd be a fantastic development for the Capitals, who are on the brink of elimination after dropping the first three games of the series to the Isles. Confirmation on Backstrom's status won't surface until pregame warmups, so fantasy players hoping to deploy him in daily lineups should plan accordingly.

Backstrom (concussion) was cleared to begin skating Monday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Backstrom was on the ice with the Capitals' Black Aces as the main roster was given the day off. If the center can be cleared for contact at Tuesday's game-day skate, there is a chance he could be available against the Islanders for Game 4. If he can't give it a go, Lars Eller figures to hold down the second-line center spot.

Backstrom (concussion) won't play in Sunday's Game 3 versus the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom was able to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, Saturday, but he'll need more time before re-entering the lineup. The Capitals are in a tough position down 2-0 in the series, so Backstrom would be a major boost if he can return for Game 4. For the time being, Lars Eller will continue to center the second line.

Backstrom (concussion) joined his teammates on the ice toward the end of practice Saturday, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

It's a bit disconcerting that Backstrom wasn't able to log a full practice, but his presence on the ice still represents a major step forward in his recovery. His status for Sunday's Game 3 likely won't be confirmed until the Capitals take the ice for pregame warmups, so fantasy players hoping to use the 32-year-old pivot in daily lineups should plan accordingly.

Backstrom is in the concussion protocol and will miss Game 2 versus the Islanders on Friday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Backstrom has yet to score a goal during the postseason, picking up just one assist in four appearances. Fortunately for the Caps, Lars Eller (personal) will be available to slot into Backstrom's spot in the top six. Once cleared to play, the world-class center figures to retake his spot on the power play and should provide top-end fantasy value.

Backstrom (undisclosed) has been ruled out of the remainder of Wednesday's Game 1 against the Islanders.

Losing Backstrom for any significant amount of time would obviously be a huge blow to the Capitals, but to make matters worse, the team is already without Lars Eller (personal), making Washington dangerously thin down the middle just one game into its first-round series. Check back for an update on Backstrom's status ahead of Friday's Game 2.

Backstrom didn't come out of the locker room for the start of the second period Wednesday, NBC Sports Washington reports.

An injury to Backstrom would stretch a thin center group that is already without Lars Eller (personal). If Backstrom misses a significant chunk of time, he would likely be replaced on the second line by Travis Boyd. Unfortunately, with the league's injury policy, fantasy players may not have much information available until closer to puck drop for Game 2 against the Islanders on Friday.

Backstrom (undisclosed) will be in the lineup for Sunday's round-robin match versus Boston.

Backstrom will skate on the Capitals' second line and top power-play unit during Sunday's round-robin finale. The 32-year-old pivot has recorded one assist and two shots on goal through Washington's first two round-robin contests.

Backstrom (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's round-robin clash with the Bruins, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom's status for Sunday's round-robin finale won't be confirmed until the Capitals take the ice for pregame warmups, so fantasy players should plan accordingly. If the 32-year-old vet is unable to go, Travis Boyd will likely get bumped up to the second line.

Backstrom (undisclosed) was not in attendance for Friday's practice session, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Backstrom's potential absence would be a significant blow for the Caps considering they are already without Lars Eller (personal). Still, Washington doesn't have to worry about being knocked out of the postseason during its upcoming round-robin clash with Boston on Sunday.

Backstrom has registered 12 goals and 54 points in 61 games thus far in the 2019-20 season.

Backstrom is near his customary 70-point pace, although a six-game absence during December could prevent the 32-year-old from reaching that mark for a seventh consecutive season. With a five-year contract extension in hand, the Swedish center will remain a key cog in Washington's offense for the foreseeable future and therefore has considerable fantasy value when hockey resumes.

Backstrom scored a goal and an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

He lit the lamp for the first time since Feb. 13, ending a 10-game drought, but Backstrom has still been productive lately with nine points in his last eight contests. On the season, the 32-year-old has 12 goals and 54 points through 60 games.

Backstrom dished out a pair of assists in Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Rangers.

Alex Ovechkin from Backstrom and John Carlson is a familiar line in the stat sheet, and that scenario played out twice in the third period, allowing the Capitals to walk away with a point. The pass-first Backstrom has 42 assists in 59 games played this season, and he's tossed in 11 goals as well.

Backstrom dished a power-play helper and added two PIM in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Wild.

Backstrom's secondary helper on Alex Ovechkin's tally accounted for the 300th power-play assist in the former's career. The Swedish center has racked up 51 points (18 with a man advantage), 125 shots and 14 PIM in 57 contests this year. Backstrom may finish shy of the 70-point mark for the first time since since the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign -- he missed eight games earlier in the year due to an upper-body injury, which has had an effect on his output.

Backstrom notched two assists in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Penguins.

Both helpers came as part of a four-goal third period for the Caps. Backstrom has a modest three-game point streak during which he's recorded five points (all assists), and on the season he's been his usual productive self, amassing 11 goals and 50 points through 54 contests.

Backstrom dished out two assists in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canadiens.

Backstrom set up Alex Ovechkin to open the game's scoring in the first period and snagged another assist on Tom Wilson's late game-tying tally. The 32-year-old center is up to 36 assists and 47 points in 52 games this season. He's scored 29 points in as many games since returning from an upper-body injury in early December.