The Washington Capitals could potentially be without two of their best players Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen is out after suffering an upper-body injury against the Devils on Saturday night. Meanwhile first-line center Nicklas Backstrom is sick and could not make it to the morning skate.
Per NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir and The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan:
Backstrom is not going to skate this morning. He’s sick and will be a game-time decision. #Caps #CapsCanes
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
Backstrom is back at the hotel. Won't be on the ice for morning skate.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
With Backstrom out, Chandler Stephenson centered Alex Ovechkin and Devante Smith-Pelly on the team’s first line.
Ovechkin-Stephenson-DSP
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Wilson
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Orlov-ChorneyHoltby in starter's net. Backstrom is ill and is a game-time decision.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
Andre Burakovsky jumped up to PP1 duty and Christian Djoos replaced Nisky on PP2.
With no Backstrom at skate … Burakovsky is playing on PP1. Djoos is back on PP2 with Niskanen out.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
Head coach Barry Trotz was hopeful Backstrom could play.
Trotz says he’s optimistic that Backstrom will be able to play. He’s officially a game-time decision due to illness. #Caps #CapsCanes
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
Niskanen remained in DC and got treatment on his injury.
Niskanen had a "treatment day" in Washington today. So, that's a third straight day he hasn't been on the ice. Caps' next game is on Sunday, so he's getting some time off to heal here.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 2, 2018
The Capitals will have their hands full tonight especially if they are without their Swedish center. The Canes have been surging lately.
The Metro-leading #Caps and surging #Canes get reacquainted tonight in frigid Raleigh. Cam Ward and Co. have won 4 of their last 5 and 7 of 9. Puck drops at 7 p.m. on @NBCSWashington. pic.twitter.com/QV7ZVnPf9l
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 2, 2018
Headline photo: Patrick Smith
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