As expected, Nick Backstrom is a "game-time decision" for the Capitals in Game 6.
Barry Trotz even said so after the Capitals' second-leading scorer -- 11 points in 13 games -- was noticeably absent from Monday's morning skate at PPG Paints Arena.
“Obviously, we know more than anyone how valuable Nick is, what kind of player he is,” goalie Braden Hotlby said. “You can’t replace that."
But a higher authority does expect his long-time teammate to play.
"I think he's in," Alex Ovechkin said of Backstrom.
If Backstrom is not in, it appears Lars Eller will be centering the second line. The Capitals showed Eller with Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie. Vrana had a goal and assist while on the top line in Game 5 but Chandler Stephenson skated in his spot with Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov on Monday.
“I think history shows that other guys can step up when need be for a short period of time,” Eller said. “When you’re missing some of your best players, other guys step up and fill in some roles and play more minutes. Regardless of if Nick is playing or not, we’re confident we can get a win here today.”
More troubling for the Capitals is that they could have two players making their playoff debuts as they look to close out their second-round series against the Penguins.
During Monday's skate, rookie Travis Boyd was skating as the third-line center with Brett Connolly and Devante Smith-Pelly. The fourth line had Nathan Walker, an Australian, as the left wing with center Jay Beagle and Alex Chiassson. Walker would likely replace Shane Gersich.
Washington is already without top-six players Tom Wilson (suspension) and Andre Burakovsky (upper body injury). Wilson's three-game suspension ends tonight, making him available for a possible Game 7 in Washington on Wednesday.
This is the first time since 1995 that the Capitals will have two chances to take out the Penguins in a playoff series. They failed then, losing in seven games.
Should the Capitals win it would be the first time in the Ovechkin Era that they've eliminated the Penguins after failing to do so in three previous playoff series.
"Personally, I don't feel pressure," Ovechkin said. "I don't need the papers and you guys (to tell me). ... I think both teams are going to feel pressure. The atmosphere is going to be really strong. You just have to control your emotions and play simple and play smart."