For the second morning skate in a row, Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom participated in the session. Backstrom has been out since the end of Game 5 of the second round series agains the Penguins as he continues recovery from an upper-body right hand injury but has slowly started taking steps towards a potential return. Here’s how he looked in Tuesday’s morning skate prior to Game 3.
Backstrom worked on passing and shooting and took part in some drills. The only things he didn’t do were take line rushes or practice on the power play.
Nicklas Backstrom is skating with the team today but did not take part in line rushes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7nUZz935le
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018
One of the drills that Backstrom participated in were 2-on-1’s.
Backstrom took part in 2-on-1’s #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/YTvBDGPFLN
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018
While the power play units were practicing, Backstrom was working on his passing with assistant coach Blaine Forsythe.
While the power play and PK were practicing, Backstrom was working on his passing with assistant coach Blaine Forsythe #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7P1qSsu0WG
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018
At the end of practice, Backstrom was practicing puck control along the boards with defensive scratch’s Jakub Jerabek and Madison Bowey.
Backstrom doing some extra work with Jakub Jerabek and Madison Bowey #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ybbkvHlq3r
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018
After the skate, coach Barry Trotz gave his daily update on Backstrom.
(Video via Tarik El-Bashir of NBC Sports Washington)
Here is your daily Nicklas Backstrom update from Coach Barry Trotz, who answered 3 questions in 12 seconds. #Caps #CapsBolts pic.twitter.com/8mFncEtHLP
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) May 15, 2018
“Day-to-day,” said Trotz.
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Trotz was asked by Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post if Trotz was going to rule him out for tonight.
Trotz responded, “I’m not answering that question.”
Additionally, Trotz was asked by Tarik El-Bashir of NBC Sports Washington if Backstrom is making progress.
“Yes absolutely,” Trotz replied.
In past interviews, Trotz has said that it’s up to Backstrom on if he’s game-ready or not. When he talked to reporters before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Trotz said, “If any top player and their staff say he’s ready to go, I don’t think there’s a coach in the National Hockey League that’s not putting a player like Nicklas Backstrom in the lineup.”
Trotz is optimistic Backstrom will return in this series and with the team up 2-0, Trotz said that the series lead “does give us some time if he needs”.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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