On the morning after the Washington Capitals defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Capitals coach Barry Trotz spoke to reporters at the team hotel before they board a plane back to DC.
Before a question was even asked, Trotz walked over to the crowd of reporters said “he’s day-to-day”.
While that is an unchanged status update, it doesn’t mean Backstrom hasn’t made progress. Last Thursday before the team took off for Tampa, he did some individual skating with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish before select players came on the ice for an optional skate. During Sunday’s morning skate prior to Game 2, Backstrom participated with his teammates but didn’t take part in line rushes or special teams drills. He did some shooting and puck handling.
Backstrom has also upgraded from a cast to a brace on his right hand that he injured while blocking a shot in Game 5 of the Capitals second round series against the Penguins.
#SlickNick bandage doesn’t look too hefty. Appears to be no cast. (📸 Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/WmjdP4Ej6p
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 12, 2018
Trotz said it’s Backstrom’s call on whether or not he’s ready to come back but there’s no rush with the Capitals ahead 2-0.
Trotz said it’s up to Backstrom to decide when he feels ready to come back. But being up 2-0 in the series “does give us some time if he needs,” Trotz said.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 14, 2018
The Caps will hold a morning skate at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. We’ll see at that time whether or not he’ll be skating with his teammates once again and what he does.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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