The Washington Capitals have announced that they will be missing three forwards when facing the New York Rangers tonight at the Madison Square Garden. Among other injuries, centre Nicklas Backstrom is out with an upper-body injury. Forward Nic Dowd has been placed on the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury. Forward Carl Hagelin is still out with his upper-body injury. The Capitals placed Hagelin on the long-term injured reserve .
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Nicklas Backstrom Out For Capitals
The Capitals have enjoyed their best run of the season. They have lost only one game in their past 16 contests, recording 13 victories. Backstrom has been a steady performer for the Capitals as usual. In his 23 starts, the Swedish forward has collected 18 points. It seemed like something has been bothering Backstrom in the last couple of games, as he experienced some rather quiet evenings. The 31-year-old centre is currently 82 games away from a 1,000-game plateau. He is also nine points away from recording his 900th NHL point.
Dowd is not as a notable absence for the Capitals as the Backstrom one, but he has been valuable for Washington. In his 14 games, the 29-year-old bottom-six forward gathered two goals and two assists for four points. He has missed the most recent three games for the Capitals.
The 31-year-old Hagelin has recorded only five assists in 17 outings for the Capitals this season. He has missed their last six games. The Caps can activate him from the LTIR as soon as December 2nd. Hagelin hasn’t played since the game against the Florida Panthers on November 7th.
Washington Recalls Three Players From AHL
In a correspondent move, the Capitals have recalled forwards Beck Malenstyn and Mike Sgarbossa along with the defenseman Tyler Lewington from the Hershey Bears in the AHL. While Washinton has answered the injury of Hagelin already and replacing Dowd won’t be a huge concern, if long term, the absence of Backstrom might be a problematic one. Despite injuries, the Capitals will try to beat the Rangers tonight to maintain their record as the presently best team in the NHL.
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 04: Washington Capitals Center Nicklas Backstrom (19) in warm ups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs on April 4, 2017 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
