Nicklas Backstrom is officially 100 percent healthy after missing the past eight games with an upper-body injury. And no one was more happy to hear the news than Tom Wilson.
At Sunday’s practice, Wilson was matched up with Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin on the top line. In the middle of practice, Wilson could not hold in his excitement any longer and gave his liney a bear-hug.
During rushes, Backstrom’s line had just scored. Defenseman John Carlson responded by sticking his finger on Backstrom’s chest and going “hisssss” as if to say that Backstrom was on fire.
Wilson arrived on the scene and like a dancer cutting in, he pushed Carlson out of the way because chit-chat can wait, Wilson needed to show his line-mate some love.
Who doesn’t like a good ol’ hockey hug?
After practice, head coach Todd Reirden said it was good to see Backstrom back on the ice for full practice, and that he did some drills specifically to help prepare Backstrom to be in the lineup against the Blue Jackets on Monday. He also explained why he matched Backstrom with Ovechkin and Wilson.
“It’s always fun to watch number 19 play, he looked good,” Reirden said. “Going to put him back with Ovi and Tom to start with. Just liked some of the chemistry that Oshie and Vrana have, and have Kuzy play with those guys is where we’ll start tomorrow.”
Photos
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
