Caps' Backstrom takes short turn on ice

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, who hasn't played since being hit in the head by then-Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque during a game Jan. 3, skated for the first time today since Jan. 6.

According to the Washington Post, Backstrom skated for five minutes at the team's practice facility wearing warm-up clothes rather than his full equipment, and during his time on the ice he did nothing strenuous.

Backstrom took part in two practices in the three days after the Calgary game, but after a practice Jan. 6 in San Jose, Backstrom suffered a setback which kept him off the ice until this morning. There's still no timetable for his return.

Despite missing the last nine games, Backstrom still leads the Capitals with 42 points.

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK

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