Backstrom returns to Capitals' lineup after 3-game absence

Nicklas Backstrom's healthy.

The pivot will return to the Washington Capitals' lineup Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Barry Trotz confirmed. Backstrom missed three games with an upper-body injury.

Asked if he'd have been able to play with the injury in the playoffs, Backstrom was coy. "Maybe," he said.

Backstrom has 20 goals and 47 assists in 73 games.

The Capitals have three games left to play in the regular season, and while they've locked up the Presidents' Trophy and home ice throughout the playoffs, the games matter. Braden Holtby needs one win to tie Martin Brodeur's single-season record for wins by a goalie, at 48.