Nicklas Backstrom has arrived in Russia and will likely begin playing for Dynamo Moscow next week. Backstrom will undergo his medicals on Saturday and begin practicing with the team. He will not play today against Atlant Mytishi. Backstrom will join fellow Capital Alex Ovechkin with Dynamo and the dynamic duo should lead the squad to the top of the KHL standings as long as there is a lockout in the NHL. Backstrom missed 40 games last season with a concussion but still managed 44 points as he is one of the elite players in the NHL.

Nicklas Backstrom has reportedly agreed to join Dynamo Moscow of the KHL, according to Swedish news outlet SVT Sport. The report stated that Backstrom was persuaded to play there by Washington teammate Alex Ovechkin, who has skated in 11 games with the KHL squad already. The timing of the move is odd considering that negotiations for a new CBA are expected to heat up.

According to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Brynas IF is interested in signing Washington forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson. Both players are represented by agent Marc Levine, who reported on Friday that there was nothing to say yet regarding European contracts for either of them. Now that the Swedish Elite League is willing to accept locked out NHLers, there will be plenty of rumors and signings to come from Swedish-born talent going back home to play during the NHL and NHLPA's labor dispute.

Nicklas Backstrom was back on the ice Monday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in the D.C. area. Thirteen Capitals players skated through a light workout. "It's not that big of an adjustment," said Brooks Laich, the Capitals' NHLPA player representative. "We're still on the same plan that we would be before training camp. Ordinarily rookie camp would be going on, and we'd still be skating and working out after. The amenities and facilities change a little bit but our attitude and preparation doesn't." Backstrom will stay in Washington for the time being, but could be bound for Europe in the near future. About 350 players played overseas in the cancelled season of 2004-05.

Nicklas Backstrom will play for Team Sweden in the World Championship. The Washington Capitals were eliminated in Game 7 of the second round on Saturday. He missed a substantial part of the season due to a concussion, so extending his season a little longer might be beneficial.

As they seek to even their second-round series against the New York Rangers in Game 4 this afternoon, the Washington Capitals are outwardly wondering whether their offense is good enough. The Capitals have scored only five goals in three games against New York. Of the six players on the Capitals' top two lines, only Alex Ovechkin and Jason Chimera have scored against the Rangers. The rest are riding scoring droughts of five to eight games. "Where's the offense?" Nicklas Backstrom asked rhetorically after Friday's practice. The Capitals' top center hasn't scored since his overtime winner in Game 2 against Boston. "We have to make sure we stay aggressive, that we get pucks deep and keep working on it."

Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin skated on the same line during Wednesday's morning skate and they will probably begin Game 3 against the Rangers together. The team's dynamic pair haven't played together much this season, mostly due to Backstrom's concussion, and they have spent the majority of the playoffs on separate lines as well. However, they have displayed plenty of chemistry when given the chance to line up alongside one another and Backstrom's playmaking abilities could help give Ovechkin some open looks at the net. Marcus Johansson was the third member of the combination during the Capitals' practice. It's unclear how long the new trio will remain intact, but playing on home ice in Game 3 could help coach Dalue Hunter with his matchups and it could lead to more ice time for his top players.

The Washington Capitals are unhappy about the league's decision to suspend Nicklas Backstrom for Thursday's Game 4 match-up against visiting Boston. "We disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Nicklas Backstrom," said the club in statement. "This has been a competitive and physical series, and we do not understand why a suspension was imposed in this case while other incidents in this series have not been reviewed. Our singular focus now is on Game 4, and we look forward to the energy that our great fans provide." Washington coach Dale Hunter hasn't been thrilled with the Bruins' treatment of Backstrom during the series, saying that the defending champs have been targeting his head. Boston coach Claude Julien defended his players in response by calling that assertion "ludicrous." The bitterness is boiling in this series and it should make for an interesting game on Thursday night.

Capitals' forward Nicklas Backstrom has been suspended for one game by the NHL for his cross-check to the face of Boston's Rich Peverley at the end of Game Three of their playoff series. With the Caps trailing 2-1 in the series, it's a major blow to their chances that they will not have their offensive catalyst in a pivotal Game Four. He should be ready to go for Game Five.

Caps coach Dale Hunter said the Bruins are targeting Nicklas Backstrom's head. Backstrom received a match penalty for cross-checking Boston's Rich Peverley in the head at the end of Monday night's game. Hunter said that Backstrom was protecting himself in response to how he was being treated.