Caps' Nicklas Backstrom in concussion protocol, will miss Game 2

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is in the concussion protocol. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom in concussion protocol, will miss Game 2 vs. Islanders

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Aug 13, 2020 3:22 PM ET

The Washington Capitals will be without star forward Nicklas Backstrom for Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the New York Islanders on Friday.

Capitals head coach Todd Reirden announced the news Thursday, saying Backstrom is in concussion protocol.

Backstrom will not play Game 2, per Reirden. "He's in protocol," Reirden said. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) August 13, 2020

Backstrom took a hit from Anders Lee early in Wednesday's 4-2 loss and didn't return after the first period.

I don't think there is more coming from this, but pretty cheap hit on Nicklas Backstrom that knocked him out of the game. Hits him in the chest but way late, comes from blindside. https://t.co/1FGwfMObfw pic.twitter.com/zKLucvikFW
— NHL Player Safety Watch (@NHLSafetyWatch) August 12, 2020

Backstrom had just put the puck deep into the Islanders' zone when Lee lined him up with a blindside hit. After fighting with John Carlson, Lee also was issued an interference penalty.

The NHL Department of Player Safety deemed the hit was not worthy of supplemental discipline.

Washington was outraged with the hit, and Reirden even called it "predatory" while Carlson described it as "dirty."

Game 2 between the two teams is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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