Backstrom skates, questionable for Capitals in Game 4 against Lightning

ARLINGTON, Va. --Nicklas Backstrom participated in the morning skate with the Washington Capitals and the center will be a game-time decision for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS), coach Barry Trotz said.

Backstrom has missed four games with a right-hand injury. Trotz said Backstrom had yet to be cleared medically to play and that he hadn't talked to the trainers yet about whether the 30-year-old might be cleared later in the day. Backstrom did not take part in the first wave of line rushes but rotated in on the third line centering Chandler Stephenson and Brett Connolly and worked with the first power-play unit. He remains day to day.
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"It's always nice to have Nick in the lineup," goaltender Braden Holtby said. "He's a one-of-a-kind player. But we're not focused on that. I think Nick would be the first say that, that he doesn't want us focusing on that. If he's going to be in the lineup, he's going to Nick Backstrom. And if he's not, we've just got to focus on being the Washington Capitals. He's a huge part of us, but just because he's out doesn't mean he's still not a huge part. He's a huge leader for us and guys want to do it for him if he's out of the lineup. He's the backbone of our team."
Backstrom was injured when he blocked a shot by defenseman Justin Schultz in Game 5 of the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals won three games without him before losing 4-2 to the Lightning in Game 3 on Tuesday.
Washington leads the best-of-7 series 2-1.
Backstrom has been making progress. This was his third morning skate since he was injured, but the first time he participated in line rushes or worked with either power-play unit. He took part in an optional practice Wednesday and appeared to be handling the puck better and shooting with more velocity.
Trotz also said Backstrom would be a game-time decision for the first three games against Tampa Bay and he did not play.
Backstrom's 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are fourth on the Capitals behind Evgeny Kuznetsov (20) Alex Ovechkin (19) and John Carlson (14). Backstrom had five points (one goal, four assists) in five games in the second round before he was injured.

Even if Backstrom plays, it appears Lars Eller will remain in Backstrom's spot as the center on the second line between rookie Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie. Eller is second on the Capitals with five points (two goals, three assists) in the conference final, including three points (one goal, two assists) in Game 2.
"It would be pretty cool, so we'll see," Ovechkin said of Backstrom possibly playing. "He wants to [be] back. He wants to be part of the success and he's our best center. If he's going to be in the lineup, it's going to give us more room to create with the lines and the team's going to be happy. He's our leader. We all love him. But we'll see what happens."
Kuznetsov leads Washington with six points (two goals, four assists) in the series.