Backstrom, Wilson set for season debuts Sunday vs. Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals will welcome a pair of familiar faces back to the lineup Sunday, with veterans Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson making their season debuts against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In addition, defenseman John Carlson has been moved to long-term injured reserve to accommodate Backstrom's cap hit. Carlson is out indefinitely after taking a slap shot to the head on Dec. 23.

Backstrom has been sidelined the entire 2022-23 season after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in June. The 35-year-old has dealt with hip issues for a large portion of his career. He missed the opening 28 games of last season while recovering from an injury and had arthroscopic surgery in 2015.

His resurfacing procedure was considered much more serious than previous operations.

Backstrom has spent his entire 15-year career with the Capitals after he was drafted fourth overall in 2006. He's racked up 1,011 points in 1,058 games with the franchise but struggled last season with a career-low 0.53 points-per-game average.

Wilson tore his ACL in Game 1 of Washington's opening-round series against the Florida Panthers last spring and was given a recovery timeline of six-to-eight months. The 28-year-old has also been a Capital for his entire career and set career highs in goals (24) and points (52) last season while throwing a whopping 240 hits.

The Capitals have put together a strong season despite their key absences up front, currently holding the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.