COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 17: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals lines up for a face-off in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 17, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. *** Local Caption *** Nicklas Backstrom

Backstrom remains out to begin conference finals vs. Lightning

Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Washington Capitals will be without Nicklas Backstrom for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

New lineup without #19 #StanleyCup #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/5kUkyodrD4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 11, 2018

The Swedish center left Game 5 of the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an upper-body injury and proceeded to miss the series-clinching Game 6.

Even though the Capitals were able to beat the Penguins without Backstrom, his absence can't be understated. He had yet another 70-point regular season and was off to a strong start in the postseason, collecting 13 points in 11 games.

Lars Eller will once again be counted on for big minutes down the middle in Backstrom's absence.