Backstrom (illness) will play on the first line Tuesday against the Hurricanes, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom had four straight games without a point before a Dec. 30 matchups, when he poured one goal and two assists on the Devils. He'll likely slot back into the top power-play line for a juicy matchup against the Hurricanes, who are tagged with the 24th-ranked penalty-kill unit.

Backstrom is ill and will be a game-time decision for Tuesday night's game in Carolina, Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom has gone on stretches of success and struggle throughout the season and it looked like he may have just been starting a run of the former after posting a multi-point effort for the first time in nine games Saturday. Look for updates on the Swede's status prior to the 7 PM Eastern puck drop.

Backstrom scored a goal and added two assists in a 5-2 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

The points snapped a four-game scoring slump. Backstrom's season has been an odd one. He has delivered seven multiple-point games (19 points), but just 12 points in the other 32 games. Right now, Backstrom is trending toward the worst, full-season production of his career.

Backstrom recorded an assist and three shots during Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

The helper gives Backstrom four goals and eight points in his last seven games. The 29-year-old playmaker's production has sparked in recent weeks since being reunited with Alex Ovechkin on the top line. The fourth-overall pick from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft should be played regularly.

Backstrom recorded a goal, an assist and a plus-3 rating during Friday's 4-2 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

After going 21 games without scoring a goal, Backstrom has now found the back of the net in consecutive games and has also picked up three helpers. The veteran center has five tallies and 20 helpers through 29 games for the campaign, and fantasy owners would love to see this recent offensive surge kick-start a lasting scoring outburst.

Backstrom scored for the first time in 21 games and added two assists in a 6-2 win Wednesday over Chicago.

EDGE Analysis

Capitals fans and fantasy owners alike have been waiting for Backstrom to get going, and this goal was a very welcome sight. Backstrom has just four goals this year, and while his 19 assists are nice, he's a far cry from the 86 points he put up last year. Having this serve as a springboard would be big for fantasy owners.

Backstrom picked up two assists in Saturday's 4-2 win over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The Caps recently put Backstrom back together with Alexander the Gr8 and the duo has been electric in the last few games. Backstrom is on a three-game, four-assist scoring streak and is now up to 19 points, 16 of which are helpers. Unfortunately, he has gone without a goal in 18 games. That needs to change fast to fully optimize his fantasy value and get him back to the 20-goal plateau he has hit in the last two seasons.

Backstrom recorded a power-play assist during Washington's 3-1 win over the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

The Swedish playmaker has three points in his last five games after going point-less in the seven contests prior. Backstrom is off to a sluggish start after last season's 23-goal, 86-point campaign, but fantasy owners should expect him to finish closer to the 70+ point mark he's been able to hit in recent seasons. The 30-year-old is an excellent buy-low candidate.

Backstrom has failed to register a point in the last six games.

EDGE Analysis

The Swedish playmaker is in the midst of an unusually long scoring drought at the moment with his last point occurring on Oct. 20 -- despite an increase in his shot production (16) over that time. Frustration on the part of fantasy owners is certainly warranted, but there is no reason to panic. The fourth overall pick from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft has been a consistent performer over his career, so things are bound to turn around for him soon. He's an excellent buy-low candidate if you can try and pluck him off a rival's roster.

Backstrom (illness) is expected to return to Washington's lineup for Saturday's game against the Oilers, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom missed Thursday's matchup with the Canucks due to an illness, but he'll return to his usual role skating on the Capitals' first line and top power-play unit Saturday. The Swedish pivot has enjoyed a red-hot start to the season, as he's already racked up 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in nine games.