Photo: Winslow Townson/AP

Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden announced that defenseman John Carlson will not play in the team’s final round-robin game due to an undisclosed injury and that center Nicklas Backstrom will be a game-time decision.

Center Brian Pinho, who recorded 20 goals, 37 points, and a +16 rating in 62 games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears this season and had an impressive training camp, will slot in for Backstrom if he cannot go. Backstrom, 32, did not practice on Saturday and Reirden could not specify his situation due to NHL rules.

If Nicklas Backstrom does not play today vs Boston, Reirden said Brian Pinho, who will take warmups, could slot in.

Also, Philippe Maillet is higher on the depth chart than Connor McMichael at this point.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) August 9, 2020

Carlson, 30, has not played in a round-robin game after he left the Capitals’ exhibition game against the Carolina Hurricanes on July 29 after crashing into the boards in the third period with a Hurricanes skater. He missed over half of the period. His legs got tangled in his skates but skated off.

Defenseman Radko Gudas, who leads the Capitals with two points through two round-robin games, has replaced Carlson in the first two round-robin games.

If the Capitals beat the Bruins, they will face the New York Islanders in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If not, they will get the Hurricanes.

By Harrison Brown