Nicklas Backstrom reportedly doesn't have any significant lingering effects from being struck in the arm by a shot during Thursday's contest. Backstrom left the game late in the third period as a result of the ailment, but he was able to practice on Friday. "He's fine," Capitals said Coach Adam Oates. "It hit him in the arm, you tweak a nerve there - like funny bone type hit. It went numb on him a little bit but he's fine." Backstrom added that while it's sore, he's fine to play on Saturday.

Nicklas Backstrom (arm) participated in Friday's practice. Backstrom left Thursday's game with about seven minutes left due to the ailment. He reportedly didn't appear to have any issues during the Capitals' skate and it looks like he's probable for Saturday's contest.

Nicklas Backstrom suffered an arm injury Thursday that forced him to leave with roughly seven minutes left. Backstrom's arm was apparently fairly badly bruised. The Swedish center was unavailable for comment after the game and the severity of the injury is unknown at the moment. Losing Backstrom would be devastating for the Caps, who have been red hot in part due in large part to Backstrom's play. We should know more after Friday's practice.

Nicklas Backstrom has one goal and 14 assists in his last nine contests. Backstrom has been an assist machine in 2013 and is presently third in the league with 38 helpers in 42 games in this 48-game shortened season. He should be counted on to get at least a point-per-game for the rest of the year.

Nicklas Backstrom has three goals and 17 points in his last 11 games. Backstrom has been an assist machine of late and is presently third in the league with 33 helpers in 38 games in this 48-game shortened season. He should be counted on to get at least a point-per-game for the rest of the year.

Nicklas Backstrom collected four assists in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Carolina. It marked his first four-assist outing since Nov. 11, 2010. He has been hot of late with three goals and 11 helpers in his last 11 contests. Backstrom is presently third in the league with 29 assists in 36 games this season.

Nicklas Backstrom is slated to play in the 400th game of his NHL career Sunday in Philadelphia. Backstrom's 397 career points (106 goals, 291 assists) are tops among all active NHL skaters with 400 or fewer games played. He should be counted on to get at least a point-per-game for the rest of the year.

Nicklas Backstrom recorded his third goal of season in Washington's 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders Saturday afternoon. The marker extended his current point streak to four games. Backstrom has a goal and five helpers over that span. He has 21 points in 23 contests. Joel Ward's power-play strike represented the Capitals' other tally in the match.

Nicklas Backstrom tallied a power-play goal and had an assist in Washington's 3-0 win over Carolina on Tuesday. His first-period marker held up as the game's winning goal. Backstrom has 15 points in 18 games this campaign. Defenseman John Carlson also had a goal and a helper in the contest.

Nicklas Backtrom (illness) and Jason Chimera (undisclosed) are both expected to play Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Both players participated in Tuesday's morning skate and said they planned to play against Carolina. Chimera has been skating on the Caps' top line, but Backstrom is far more fantasy relevant. Fantasy owners should feel free to use both players as they normally would.