Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom will miss tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. Backstrom has played 313 consecutive regular-season games – and another 28 in the postseason – but is still dealing with the painful left thumb fracture he suffered Feb. 21 against the Penguins. He did not take part in the morning skate today at Kettler Iceplex and is wearing a removable hard cast to keep the injury – as coach Bruce Boudreau put it – “quiet”. Backstrom will miss “a game or two”, according to Boudreau, but should take part in tomorrow’s practice at Verizon Center.
“We just want to protect [Backstrom’s] thumb,” Boudreau said. “We like him playing every game, but to us, making sure that he’s ready and healthy is the most important thing. We didn’t want a nagging little injury to keep him out and keep re-injuring it and that. He’ll probably be out for a game or two.”
Backstrom wasn’t available for comment. His cast can come off at any time and the team considers it a short-term injury. But it will certainly be a different feel without No. 19 on the ice.
“Probably like first game,” left wing Alex Ovechkin said of playing without Backstrom for the first time since the Swede arrived in the NHL at the start of the 2007-08 season. “It’s pretty hard, but it is what it is. Kind of a situation for different guys, like, Marcus [Johansson] can step up and show his leadership and show how good he is right now.”
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