WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nicklas Backstrom took some reps with the power-play unit at the morning skate, but the big question remains whether Washington’s all-star centreman will be back in the lineup for Thursday night’s Game 4.
Backstrom has missed the last four games with a hand injury, and as always, head coach Barry Trotz says he’s “day-to-day.”
No. 19 hasn’t been medically cleared to play yet, not that it couldn’t happen ahead of Game 3.
Before tonight’s 8 p.m. ET puck drop, here are some other notes to keep an eye on as Tampa Bay attempts to even this series at two games apiece, while the Capitals try to take a 3-1 lead and thrill the hometown crowd at Capital One Arena.
Lightning, maybe you shouldn’t go home again
This series is just three games old, but what neither team has managed is a win at home. Maybe it takes some crazy pre-game theatrics, like a knight cutting a jet in half, to win on home ice? Who knows.
And even if nobody quite knows the recipe for winning at home, we will continue to ask until someone figures it out.
“It’s the million-dollar question right now, I guess,” says Lightning winger Ryan Callahan. “But you don’t change your mindset, you don’t change your focus. It’s just how it works sometimes. We’re expecting a lot better from them tonight and especially at home here, they’re going to have a hard start.
“But we’ve just got to continue to worry about us and playing the way we did in Game 3 and make sure that we weather the storm early and keep going.”
In a nutshell, Callahan doesn’t know what it is with this road ice advantage: “I don’t have an answer for you for that one.”
A trend that makes more sense
The team that has scored first has won every game this series, and obviously it’s important to get out to a hot start in the post-season, to gain any momentum you can and hold onto it.
But more importantly, if you ask big Lightning pointman Victor Hedman, is how Tampa Bay handles it should the Capitals draw first blood.
“All of us would like to get that first goal, but I think we’ve got to react, we’ve got to keep it even keel, even if they score first,” Hedman says. “It’s about us playing a full 60 minutes and playing to our structure and playing to our strengths. That’s the bottom line. That’s what we’ve got to do tonight.”
He adds: “If we play our game for 60 minutes, I like our chances.”
Welcome Back(strom) maybe
We may see Backstrom in his first-ever conference final, which would be enormous for the Capitals, because even if his right hand isn’t 100 per cent, the eyes and brain of one of the best playmakers in the league are.
Backstrom missed just one game in the regular season, and had 71 points while centring that second line unit. Teammate T.J. Oshie calls him “irreplaceable,” and it’s true, though Lars Eller has done an admirable job in his absence, with five points in this series so far.
The Capitals, of course, want him back in the lineup. The Lightning, on the other hand…well, they could probably do without him.
“He’s obviously one of the best players in the league,” Callahan says. “Him and Ovi and the power play— everything. He helps all those guys out. The way he sees the ice, his compete level. I don’t know if he’s back or not, but if he is, that’s a huge boost for them.”
Indeed.
Point is on Point
Brayden Point is having quite the playoffs for a playoffs rookie. The 22-year-old from Calgary is averaging more than a point a game, with 14 in 13 so far.
A third-round pick in 2014, Point is coming off his second straight multi-point game, after registering a goal and an assist in the Lightning’s Game 3 win. He also logged a post-season high 21:18 of ice time on Tuesday.
None of this is a surprise to his teammates, however. After all, Point ranked second in goals and third in scoring this past regular season for Tampa Bay.
“Well, we’ve seen him for two years now,” Hedman says. “Obviously last year when Stammer went down he kind of had that No. 1 spot up front, and I think that helped move his development a little bit. But he’s just so important for us. He plays in all situations.
“I wouldn’t say surprise is the right word, but he keeps taking steps. He’s a difference maker on the ice for us. He’s unbelievable.”
Capitals fans could use a treat at home
The last time the Washington Capitals played in the eastern conference final was 20 years ago. And so the last time Capitals fans saw a win on home ice at this stage was May 25, 1998, in overtime, against Buffalo. Todd Krygier played the overtime hero.
Capitals fans were super loud in Game 2, with their “Let’s go Caps!” cheers. We’ll see if Washington can give them a win at home, at last. And then we’ll find out the answer to that million dollar question about what it takes to earn a victory on home ice in this series, at last.
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