Backstrom and Ovechkin at practice. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster

The sacrificial bloodletting that was the Capitals’ shootout loss to the Kings threatened to cost Washington their most important center in Nick Backstrom and a veteran defenseman in Jack Hillen.

Based on Thursday’s practice, there’s some good news: Nick Backstrom seems to be unscathed.

Backstrom’s collision with Drew Doughty the other night appears not to have been too serious. He intends to play on Saturday.

Nick Backstrom says he will "absolutely" play Saturday against the Bruins.

— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) March 27, 2014

#Caps Backstrom says "absolutely" that he'll play Saturday, says he's feeling good

— Sky Kerstein (@SkyKersteinFox2) March 27, 2014

That’s very good news. It looks like it could’ve been much worse:

Jack Hillen, who was knocked out by a collision with Alex Ovechkin during overtime, was present for the team photo, but not for practice.

In Hillen’s place, John Erskine skated with Mike Green.

The forward lines, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post:

Johansson-Beagle-Ovi

Kuznetsov-Backstrom-Brouwer

Chimera-Fehr-Ward

Penner-Brown-Wilson

And on defense:

Alzner-Carlson

Erskine-Green

Orlov-Wey