Capitals head coach Todd Reirden announced Monday that Nicklas Backstrom will miss his third straight game Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Backstrom has been out since November 20 with an upper-body injury.
Backstrom, according to the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, did “individual work” before Capitals practice.
Skills practice for the Capitals today. Nic Dowd (hand, IR) is on the ice participating, same with Carl Hagelin.
Nick Backstrom (upper body, day to day) was doing individual work before practice.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 25, 2019
Nicklas Backstrom (upper body, day to day) will not play Wednesday against Florida, per Reirden.
Reirden echoed Nic Dowd’s comments, said he is hopeful Dowd (hand, IR) plays vs Florida.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 25, 2019
Speaking to The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir over the weekend, Backstrom was targeting a return later this week, meaning it’s possible he plays Friday or Saturday during the Capitals’ post-Thanksgiving back-to-back.
Backstrom told me Saturday that he’s hopeful of returning later this week. #Caps https://t.co/WnatWTx515
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 25, 2019
In some actual good injury news to report, fourth-line center Nic Dowd believes he will be able to suit up Wednesday and play in his first game since November 13 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Dowd suffered some complications from a laceration he had on his left hand. Carl Hagelin, who is on long term injured reserve, also practiced and appears near 100 percent.
Dowd (hand) has joined the group for practice. He’s missed the last five games.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 25, 2019
Hagelin, in a normal jersey, and Dowd both appear to be full go in practice today. So progress. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 25, 2019
“That’s what we’re hoping for.” — Reirden on Dowd’s availability for Wednesday. https://t.co/wbq9KfK2nX
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 25, 2019
Also worth nothing, before practice, several Capitals players spent time with a skills coach.
A handful of #Caps are on the ice ahead of practice today with Ontario-based skills coach Dwayne Blais, who’s in town to help players sharpen up during a break in the schedule. More on this later. pic.twitter.com/w9sSexO5mR
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 25, 2019
Headline photo: @Capitals
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