Nicklas Backstrom pulled a red Washington Capitals jersey over his head and then pushed his arms through it before the team’s practice. The dressing room at Kettler Capitals Iceplex broke out into applause – a standing ovation, actually – after seeing the top-line center finally back in his usual practice jersey color.
When training camp opened a month ago, Backstrom was in a white jersey, skating around cones, but not yet cleared for team practices after he had arthroscopic hip surgery in May. Then he donned a light blue jersey, joining the team but signaling he was not yet cleared for contact.