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Head coach Peter Laviolette announced after Wednesday’s optional practice that both right wing Tom Wilson and center Nicolas Basstrom will not go against the Washington Capitals against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 PM ET, ESPN), but both are “very close.” to make their season debuts.
Peter Laviolette on Nicholas Backstrom and Tom Wilson’s injury schedule: “I think they’re pretty close. They are near (to return) and together.
They won’t travel for tomorrow’s game against Columbus, but no decision has been made yet.
— Matt Weyrich (@byMattWeyrich) January 4, 2023
Backstrom, 35, has been practicing with Washington since before Thanksgiving after undergoing hip reconstruction surgery in Belgium on June 2. He missed five days after being put on the Covid-19 protocol, but that is not expected to delay his season, Laviolette said.
Backstrom missed the first 28 games of last season with an injured hip, and after returning for one game, he landed in the Covid-19 protocol and missed the next two.
Wilson, 28 on May 1. Wilson has not played since.
The return of two big contributors should give Washington, 14-3-3 over its last 20 games, a big boost as it climbs into the Eastern Conference postseason. The team’s challenge will be deciding who to replace Wilson and Backstrom in an already deep forward group, which has averaged 3.28 goals per game (tied for 11th in the NHL) and clicked at a 21.7% efficiency on the power play. (17th), on a roll with the team.
Backstrom led Washington in scoring on the year, finishing with six goals and 31 points in 47 games last season. He had four assists and six points in the postseason.
Wilson set career highs in goals (24), assists (28) and points (52) in 78 games in 2021-22. He scored a power play goal in his short season last spring.
Washington, which completed back-to-back games with the Nashville Predators on Friday, is tied with the New York Rangers (who have a game in hand) in the Metropolitan Division going into Wednesday.
By Harrison Brown
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