Medical staff still unsure when he can play in games
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom took an important step forward in his recovery from a concussion when he was cleared by the team’s medical staff Saturday to participate in practice with no restrictions.
Backstrom has not played in a game since Jan. 3. To do so he still must avoid any setbacks, work his way into condition, pass a battery of neurophysiological tests and then gain final clearance from team doctors. There is no exact timeline for that to happen, according to team officials. But Backstrom has been symptom free since he began skating again daily on March 13. He took part in an optional practice at Kettler Iceplex on Saturday with a dozen of his teammates. Washington next plays the Minnesota Wild at Verizon Center on Sunday at 5 p.m.
“It feels like you’re back in training camp. It takes a little time,” Backstrom said. “It feels good. If you give me a couple more practices — I don’t know how long, but we’ll see.”
Backstrom was elbowed in the jaw by then-Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque in a Jan. 3 game at Verizon Center. Bourque was suspended five games for the hit. Backstrom skated briefly on his own Jan, 23 but otherwise was kept off the ice until his post-concussion symptoms disappeared. Earlier this month he even returned to his native Sweden to get away from the daily frustration of his recovery.
Backstrom has missed 37 games so far yet still ranks fourth on the team with 42 points. He had skated on his own nine of the previous 10 days before finally rejoining some of his teammates Saturday. Backstrom did not rule out a return before the regular season ends April 7.
“The beginning of the season [Backstrom] was probably one of the best players in the league, if not the best player in the league,” teammate Karl Alzner said. “He was playing lights out for us. You forget about him for a little bit because he hasn’t been in the lineup. But he is a massive part of this team that we would love to have and need to have.”
