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Backstrom feels ‘100 percent,’ will return for Caps tonight

Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom

AP

Washington Capitals fans can breathe a sigh of relief today after learning Nicklas Backstrom is healthy enough to play tonight versus Pittsburgh.

Backstrom has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury.

“He’s one of the best centermen in the National Hockey League,” Caps coach Barry Trotz told reporters, per CSN Washington. “Getting him back gives us a little more depth, a few more options and a real good player back in.”

Backstrom is expected to center Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie, with a second line of Evgeny Kuznetsov between Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams.

The 1-2 combination of Backstrom and Kuznetsov is a big reason the Caps have been so successful during the regular season, so having a healthy Backstrom heading into arguably the most important postseason in franchise history is rather important.

“I feel like I’m 100 percent,” Backstrom said, per the Washington Post. “I think it’s important, too, that you feel good before you come back because we’ve clinched a playoff spot already, so there’s no need to rush back, I think. But at the same time, you want to play a couple games before.”