Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom left Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an upper-body injury, head coach Barry Trotz said after the game.
Trotz said Backstrom, who left the game in the third period, has an upper-body injury. They will know more tomorrow.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 6, 2018
There was no clear incident during which Backstrom may have suffered an injury, but it's worth noting the center only took three faceoffs in his 15:55 of ice time, indicating he may have already been battling some sort of wrist or shoulder ailment.
Already without forwards Tom Wilson and Andre Burakovsky, Washington would be in tough to close out its series - which it leads 3-2 - against the Penguins if Backstrom misses any time.
The Caps' first chance to finish off the Pens will come Monday night in Pittsburgh.
