Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom underwent concussion testing on Wednesday morning, but the results were inconclusive, according to a since deleted tweet from his brother, Kristoffer. Backstrom, who was elbowed in the head by Calgary forward Rene Bourque during the third period of Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Verizon Center, suffered either a small concussion or a migraine headache, according to what Kristoffer Backstrom initially wrote.
Washington coach Dale Hunter said Backstrom remains day-to-day and is still being evaluated. A team spokesman said the tests were normal NHL protocol, not necessarily a concussion test. So nothing conclusive yet and no word on whether Backstrom will be able to make the trip to California when the Caps leave after practice on Thursday. He will be re-evaluated Thursday morning. They have a brief two-game road trip to San Jose (Saturday) and Los Angeles (Monday). Hunter told reporters that Backstrom did go through an off-ice workout with some of his teammates on Wednesday. Washington’s practice was optional with 10 players skating.
“[Backstrom] seems fine. But he still has to be evaluated,” Hunter said. He later added “No” when asked if there was a definitive diagnosis of a concussion. “It’s one of those things where you evaluate it for a few days and see how he is.”
Backstrom is prone to migraine headaches and has left several games during his career because of them. The Caps did not make Backstrom available to reporters either after the game nor after Wednesday’s optional practice at Kettler Iceplex. The 24-year-old is tied for eighth in the NHL in points with 42 after he recorded three assists against the Flames.
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