Nicklas Backstrom did not come out with the rest of his Capitals teammates for the second period of Game One.
The Swedish center was hit blindside in the chest by Anders Lee in the first period during his second shift on the ice.
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The hit sparked two fights as Lee took on John Carlson and later Tom Wilson.
Backstrom initially seemed okay as he stayed on the ice for the rest of the first period. He took seven shifts and skated 7:21 total.
But he did not return in the second.
NBC Sports Washington cameras did find an uncomfortable Backstrom talking to Capitals’ head athletic trainer Jason Serbus on the bench during the first period.
The Capitals later announced Backstrom would not return.
#Caps Nicklas Backstrom will not return to today’s game. #CapsIsles
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) August 12, 2020
Evgeny Kuznetsov slid up and centered the first line during Backstrom’s absence.
Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game One
Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington
