Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom out Friday with upper-body injury

Braden Holtby was a stud for the Washington Capitals making 33 saves but the Philadelphia Flyers picked up the win in the shootout.

Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom will miss Friday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche with what is being called an upper-body injury.

The 28-year-old played over 20 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and is being held out by Barry Trotz for precautionary reasons.

Trotz did not say whether Backstrom will be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes.

The Capitals have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy and will have home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team has six games remaining in the regular season.

Backstrom has 20 goals and 67 points in 73 games this season.

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