Center Nicklas Backstrom skated in a no-contact jersey once again on Thursday, which means that he will not be ready to return when the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday evening.

Head coach Todd Reirden told the media earlier this week that the hope was to get Backstrom back some time on the team’s four-game road trip but since he’s out on Friday, he will probably not be ready in time for the Capitals’ game at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night either.

Forward Garnet Hathaway, who will return from a three-game suspension for spitting on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson in the Capitals’ 5-2 win over the Ducks on November 18 against the Lightning, will skate on the fourth-line.

Forward Beck Malenstyn came out of the lineup with Hathaway returning, but currently remains on the roster.

Capitals’ Lines vs. Lightning

Capitals expected lines vs Tampa Bay:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Panik-Stephenson-Boyd
Leipsic-Dowd-Hathaway

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 28, 2019

ESSENTIAL LNKS

• Order your Caps Canine Calendar 
• Tampa Bay at Washington game notes
• Capitals Tame Panthers 4-3 In Brett Connolly’s return
• Bruins Beat Bears 7-6 in shootout
• Capitals pay tribute to Stanley Cup champion Brett Connolly

SHAVINGS

• Braden Holtby earned his 12th win of the season, tying him for the League lead. Additionally, Holtby’s 37 saves against the Panthers is his second highest single-game total this season (44 saves, Oct. 20 at Chicago).
• With an assist on Eller’s goal, Jakub Vrana has recorded his 100th career point (51g, 49a). He becomes the 23rd Capitals draft pick at the forward position to record 100 points with the franchise.

By Harrison Brown