Before the Capitals’ morning skate in Vancouver, the team announced that Nicklas Backstrom will be a game-time decision tonight after falling ill.

The Caps announced the update shortly after 2 PM (EST).

#Caps Nicklas Backstrom (ill) will not skate this morning and is a game-time decision for tonight.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 26, 2017

Backstrom is arguably the Capitals most valuable player. The team is already without Matt Niskanen (upper body), Andre Burakovsky (broken thumb), and Tyler Graovac (upper body). Chandler Stephenson, who was recalled before the trip, can play center.

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Chiasson
Wilson-Stephenson-Oshie
Connolly-Vrana-Eller
Walker-Beagle-DSP
Djoos-Carlson
Orpik-Bowey
Orlov-Chorney

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 26, 2017