What It Means:

Backstrom skated Friday morning, but skipped the team's line rushes. "Just got banged up a little bit the last game," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "We’re just going to keep him out just for precautionary reasons." It makes sense given that the Capitals have nothing left to play for until the postseason. If there's any reason to rest one of their top players, they may as well take it. Marcus Johansson will center the top line as a result of Backstrom's absence.

Backstrom has had an impressive season, recording 67 points (20 goals, 47 assists) in 73 games played, but has been mediocre at driving possession. His Corsi For Percentage is 51.1 and his Relative Corsi For at Even Strength is 0.5. We project him to tally another four points (one goal, three assists) over the remaining course of the season.