Center Nicklas Backstrom will return to the lineup on Monday when the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets and skate on the top-line after missing the past eight games due to an upper-body injury. He also took his spot back on the first power-play unit. Head coach Todd Reirden confirmed to the media that he is good to go. Monday’s game will mark the first time that the Capitals will ice their lineup at full strength this season.

With Nicklas Backstrom returning to the lineup after sweeping the Cali roadie, the #ALLCAPS are trending 📈 pic.twitter.com/vzEadON6a6

— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 8, 2019

Center Travis Boyd will draw out of the lineup in favor of Backstrom returning and center Lars Eller returned to his regular spot between forwards Richard Panik and Carl Hagelin on the third-line.

Hi boys nice to see ya here. pic.twitter.com/QenbDUuRBT

— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 8, 2019

Goaltender Braden Holtby will be between the pipes against the Blue Jackets for his second consecutive start.

Capitals’ Lines vs. Blue Jackets

Capitals practice lines ahead of game vs Columbus on Monday:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-Hathaway-Boyd rotation

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 8, 2019

Capitals Today

CAPS TODAY: Jakub Vrana is on pace for 40 goals at even strength this season, and, should he reach the mark, he would join a class of just three players since 1999-00. More info on https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/55c983g6Yz

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 8, 2019

By Harrison Brown