Ovechkin was held out of Tuesday's game due to personal reasons but returned to practice on Wednesday and should be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Blackhawks. The Capitals struggled without Ovechkin, who had one goal and one assist in the season opener.
Ovechkin did not take part in the Capitals morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision. With Ovechkin out of the lineup, Stanislav Galiev will make his season debut.
Ovechkin did not participate in the Capitals’ morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision. He is reportedly dealing with a personal matter. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups. If he can’t play expect Stanislav Galiev to make his season debut.
Backstrom took part in some battle drills this morning, but hasn’t officially been cleared for contact. He is expect to meet with his surgeon this week and that will determine how much longer he will be out. Expect an update later in the week.
McIlrath will replace Dan Boyle in the Rangers’ lineup on Tuesday. The 23-year-old blueliner had six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 73 games with Hartford (AHL) last season but has yet to record a point in three NHL games. Look for him to skate alongside Keith Yandle.
Storm, 18, was the third overall pick this summer and had one goal, five shots and a minus-2 rating in five games this preseason. He returns to Erie, where he led the OHL in points a season ago (45G / 84A).
The Capitals had previously said that Backstrom was expected to play at some point during the first 10 games of the season, but Barry Trotz said today that Backstorm will miss at least the first four games. This early in the season, the Capitals will not rush their star centre back into action and risk getting him more injured.
Backstrom continues to rehab his hip after undergoing offseason surgery. He has not been cleared for practice, but he is expected to make his season debut before the end of October.
Hagelin, 26, was traded to the Ducks this summer because the Rangers were up against the salary cap. Hagelin was a restricted free agent who had arbitration rights but opted not to file in a move seen as a sign that the winger and the Ducks were set on getting their new association off on the right foot. He had 17 goals and 18 assists (35 points) in 82 games with the Rangers last season.
Wilson missed the final two games of the regular season and game 1 of the postseason, but he will replace Michael Latta in the lineup tonight for Game 2. He had four goals and 13 assists (17 points) in 67 games.
Wilson will miss his third straight game with a head injury despite skating in every session since Monday. He could get back in for game 2.
Wilson missed the final two games of the regular season after being hit in the head by a shot on April 5th vs. the Red Wings. Wilson was reportedly not dealing with concussion-like symptoms and he is skating in a regular jersey this morning, so he could be good-to-go for Game 1 on Wednesday.
Wilson did not skate this morning after taking a shot to the head on Sunday. He has reportedly not suffered from any concussion-like symptoms, so he remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Oshie missed Saturday’s game but he will be back in the lineup tonight vs. Vancouver. Oshie has one goal and four assists in his last six games.
Oshie missed Saturday’s game vs. the Blue Jackets and he could be in danger of missing Monday’s game vs. the Canucks. Chris Porter is expected to skate on the top-line if Oshie can’t play.
