Backstrom tallied a power-play goal, a minus-3 rating and six shots during Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Predators.

EDGE Analysis

It was a night to forget for the Capitals, but Backstrom has been shooting the puck with more success in the last four games, with two goals and 15 shots during that span. If the 31-year-old has a weakness, it's that he doesn't generate enough shots to keep defenders honest. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect a breakout goal-scoring performance by the Swedish center, but his overall offense could tick up if he can become more of a dual-threat, thereby opening up better passing lanes for his exceptional playmaking skills.

Backstrom tallied a goal and a plus-2 rating while losing 11 of 14 faceoffs taken during Thursday's 4-2 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom's 11th goal of the season is his first marker since Dec. 4 and gives him 45 points in 41 games rounding into the second half of the 2018-19 season. The 31-year-old Swede is one of the great playmakers in the NHL so keep him fixed in your lineups.

Backstrom (illness) expects to be in the lineup Thursday against the Bruins, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom missed Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Flyers but is trending towards being ready for a Thursday showdown with the Bruins. Check back for final confirmation but all signs point to an imminent return for the 29-year-old Swede.

Backstrom was on the ice for Wednesday's optional practice, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom's presence is a good indication that he's feeling better and that the illness that kept him out of the lineup for Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Flyers is finishing its course. Check back for updates, but there's a good chance the 31-year-old Swede will be ready to go Thursday against the Bruins.

Backstrom (illness) wasn't present for warmups and won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Flyers, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom will miss his first game of the season, vaulting Lars Eller into the second-line center position flanked by T.J. Oshie and Jakub Vrana. Backstrom has been a stud this year with 44 points in 41 games, 16 of which came with the man advantage.

Backstrom missed the Capitals' morning skate with an illness and is being labeled as a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with the Flyers, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom will likely take most of the morning and afternoon to recuperate from the ailment before the Capitals re-evaluate his status a few hours prior to the 7:30 p.m. EST puck drop. If Backstrom is sidelined Tuesday, Lars Eller could move up from the third line to quarterback Washington's second line.

Backstrom tallied an assist, five shots and two penalty minutes during Thursday's 3-1 victory over the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom's helper on John Carlson's empty-net goal gives him eight points in his last seven contests and has him on pace for a 23-goal, 96-point campaign. The 31-year-old Swede is one of the league's top playmakers and should be a fixture in your fantasy lineups.

Backstrom dished out three assists in Monday's win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom set up both of Tom Wilson's goals and had a secondary assist on Alex Ovechkin's empty-net score. It's his seventh multi-point game of the year and he now has six goals and 28 points in 24 games, setting him on pace for 96 points and his best stat line since the 2009-10 campaign.

Backstrom scored the game-winning overtime goal and added an assist in a 3-2 victory against the Avalanche on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran center is playing well lately, but this was his first multi-point game since Nov. 3. Since that date, though, he's been rather consistent with three goals and nine points in eight games. As usual Backstrom has far more assists than goals, but that's to be expected, and owners have to love -- whether it continues or not -- that currently, he's on pace to set a new career-high in helpers.

Backstrom tallied an assist and two shots in 20:13 of ice time during Monday's 4-2 win over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom has points in consecutive games following a three-game point drought, bringing him to three goals and 16 points in 13 games. The 30-year-old Swede would likely benefit from more even-strength playing time with Alex Ovechkin, but his production hasn't exactly declined despite playing predominantly with T.J. Oshie on the second line, so keep him in your lineup regularly.