ARLINGTON — Center Nicklas Backstrom is expected to play Monday when the Washington Capitals host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Backstrom missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury.
“As of today, I’m good to go,” Backstrom said. “I woke up and felt good.”
Coach Todd Reirden said Backstrom will center the top line between Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson, with Jakub Vrana, Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie comprising the second line.
“It was good to see (Backstrom) out there in full practice,” Reirden said. “Did some drills specifically to help him prepare for tomorrow.