Backstrom returns, Ovechkin a game-time decision against starless Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Capitals will get at least one of the big-name players back for Tuesday's regular-season finale (7 p.m., NBC Sports Washington), possibly two. Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game while Alex Ovechkin will be a game-time decision. Both players took part in Tuesday's optional morning skate.
Backstrom was a surprise scratch in Saturday's game with a lower-body injury, but his injury only kept him out one game as he said Tuesday morning that he is good to go. Ovechkin has also been dealing with a lower-body injury that has kept him out since April 22, not including the 39 seconds he played on May 3.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
John Carlson took part in Tuesday's morning skate as well, but he will not play. T.J. Oshie also will not play and did not take part in the morning skate.
Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov did not participate and remain unavailable. Vitek Vanecek did not participate in the morning skate as he took the option to rest. He will get the start.
Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins will be a preview of Washington's first-round playoffs matchup, but with health a priority over sending a pre-playoff message, it is not a surprise to see the team not have a full lineup in what is an otherwise meaningless game. Having said that, head coach Peter Laviolette reiterated his belief that if a player is healthy and cleared, it is better for them to play rather than be held out.
"We're not going to hold back a player that's 100%," Laviolette said.
This philosophy is a stark contrast to the Bruins who announced a number of players who will not be in for Tuesday's game.
So if you're Laviolette, why risk it?
"If a player is healthy, if a player is cleared and healthy, I think that getting the reps is important," he said. "If a player that hasn't gotten it, hasn't been out there, it's important for them to get some game timing in."
