The Washington Capitals have announced that centre Nicklas Backstrom is a game-time decision for Game 6 with an upper-body injury. He missed the morning skate today.
Trotz said Nicklas Backstrom is a game-time decision, "and if it’s not favorable, there are a lot of guys who are willing to step up. So we’re in a good spot."
— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) May 7, 2018
Nicklas Backstrom GTD for Game Six
Backstrom blocked a shot in the first period of game five but ended staying in the game until the 6:48 mark of the third period. Chandler Stephenson took the face-offs for the rest of the game after Backstrom blocked the shot. This may have indicated that he was hurt and was trying to play through the injury.
This season, Backstrom had 21 goals and 50 assists for 71 points. He also added 46 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 51.1 Corsi with a relative Corsi of 4.4 percent. He has three goals and 10 assists in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games this year.
Over his 11-year NHL career, Backstrom has only played for the Washington Capitals. He has put up 209 goals and 590 assists for 799 career points. He was originally drafted in the first round, fourth overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals.
What This Means for the Future
If Backstrom is unable to play tonight, it would be another huge loss for the Capitals who are already without two key forwards. Andre Burakovski is out with an upper-body injury and Tom Wilson is suspended for one more game after receiving the punishment for his hit on Pittsburg Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese. If Backstrom is unable to go tonight, expect Chandler Stevenson to continue to fill in on the second line. Backstrom is currently winning 51 percent of the face-offs he takes. He is also a key part of Washington’s powerplay, 26 of his 71 points this year came with the man advantage, including seven powerplay goals. Backstrom normally centers the second line with Stevenson and T.J. Oshie on the wings.
The Capitals currently lead the series against the Penguins 3-2 in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and will look to clinch the series tonight.
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