Nicklas Backstrom participated in the Capitals’ morning skate on Thursday, and there is speculation that he may finally return for Washington.
Backstrom got hurt when he blocked a shot against the Penguins in the conference semifinals. He has missed the past four games with a hand injury, and Caps coach Barry Trotz says he has not been medically cleared yet. Washington was able to win three games without him before dropping Game 3 to the Lightning.
Backstrom is considered day-to-day and is a game-time decision for Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The Caps lead the Eastern Conference Finals 2-1 over Tampa Bay.
