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  4. title => "Good news: Trotz expects Backstrom, Carlson to suit up Monday in Pittsburgh"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Nicklas Backstrom is expected to suit up in Pittsburgh&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;night as the Caps look to eliminate the Penguins in Game 6 of the teams\u2019 second-round series, Coach Barry Trotz said&nbsp;on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Backstrom suffered an upper-body injury&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;night and did not finish the game, a 6-3 Caps\u2019 victory at Capital One Arena.<\/p>\n<p>Although the nature and extent of Backstrom\u2019s injury remain&nbsp;unknown, Coach Barry Trotz said he anticipates the star center will be able to play.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe got some maintenance today,\u201d Trotz said. \u201cWe'll see where he is&nbsp;tomorrow.\"<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he expects Backstrom to play in Game 6, Trotz said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Caps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Caps<\/a> Coach Barry Trotz provides injury updates on Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Andre Burakovsky. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CapsPens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CapsPens<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ALLCAPS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ALLCAPS<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/StanleyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#StanleyCup<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dFEhuRb6Mr\">pic.twitter.com\/dFEhuRb6Mr<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Tarik_ElBashir\/status\/993217420000153600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 6, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>The Caps did not practice&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;as they made their way back to Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n<p>Backstrom\u2019s availability\u2014even if he\u2019s limited\u2014is critically important for a Caps\u2019 forward core that\u2019s already depleted. Tom Wilson will serve the final game of a three-game suspension&nbsp;on Monday, while Andre Burakovsky remains week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Burakovsky has resumed skating but he will not accompany the team to Pittsburgh, Trotz said.<\/p>\n<p>Trotz also provided an update on defenseman John Carlson, who was evaluated for an injury after absorbing a high hit from Jake Guentzel in the final minute of Game 5. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was looked at; I think he'll be fine,\u201d Trotz said of Carlson.<\/p>\n<p>As for Backstrom, it\u2019ll be interesting to see how much he\u2019s able to do. He did not record a point in Game 5 while skating a postseason-low&nbsp;15:55prior to leaving the game in the third period. He also did not record any shot attempts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re always concerned any time that you\u2019ve got anybody that\u2019s nicked up at this time of year,\u201d Trotz said. \u201cBut we\u2019ll see where we are&nbsp;tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>MORE CAPITALS NEWS:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Game 5 hero:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/3-stars-game-5-capitals-cusp-conference-finals-thanks-stellar-third-period\" target=\"_blank\">Jakub Vrana delivers in the third period<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Caps fans celebrate: <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/capitals-fans-take-over-portrait-gallery-steps-after-game-5-win\" target=\"_blank\">We're retaking the steps!<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Caps-Penguins<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> rivalry runs deep:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/caps-pens-rivalry-extends-animal-kingdom\" target=\"_blank\">Even animals are picking sides<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Capitals

Capitals

Nicklas Backstrom is expected to suit up in Pittsburgh on Monday night as the Caps look to eliminate the Penguins in Game 6 of the teams’ second-round series, Coach Barry Trotz said on Sunday.

Backstrom suffered an upper-body injury Saturday night and did not finish the game, a 6-3 Caps’ victory at Capital One Arena.

Although the nature and extent of Backstrom’s injury remain unknown, Coach Barry Trotz said he anticipates the star center will be able to play.

“He got some maintenance today,” Trotz said. “We'll see where he is tomorrow."

Asked if he expects Backstrom to play in Game 6, Trotz said, “Yeah.”

The Caps did not practice Sunday as they made their way back to Pittsburgh.

Backstrom’s availability—even if he’s limited—is critically important for a Caps’ forward core that’s already depleted. Tom Wilson will serve the final game of a three-game suspension on Monday, while Andre Burakovsky remains week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Burakovsky has resumed skating but he will not accompany the team to Pittsburgh, Trotz said.

 

Trotz also provided an update on defenseman John Carlson, who was evaluated for an injury after absorbing a high hit from Jake Guentzel in the final minute of Game 5.  

“He was looked at; I think he'll be fine,” Trotz said of Carlson.

As for Backstrom, it’ll be interesting to see how much he’s able to do. He did not record a point in Game 5 while skating a postseason-low 15:55prior to leaving the game in the third period. He also did not record any shot attempts.

“You’re always concerned any time that you’ve got anybody that’s nicked up at this time of year,” Trotz said. “But we’ll see where we are tomorrow.”

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