Washington GM George McPhee is pleased with the progress of Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) and noted the center could return before the all-star break. Backstrom absorbed a blow to the head on Jan. 3 and tonight's game against the visiting Islanders will mark the sixth he will have missed. Washington's final game before the break is next Tuesday against Boston, the Caps' only home date in a seven-game span starting Wednesday at Montreal. Backstrom is 13-29-42 in 38 games.