REPORT: Washington Capitals receive some GREAT news - Caps fans will be HAPPY!

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Ryan
October 27, 2022 (3:14 PM)

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It has not been the start to the 2022-23 season that Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals were hoping for. As of today, they hold a 4-3-0 record and are sitting 4th in the Metropolitan division, with a huge game against the Dallas Stars tonight.

Last season Ovechkin put up the most points he's had since the 2009-10 season, scoring 50 goals and 90 points. Many hoped the now 37 year old would continue this into this season but it hasn't quite been the same. The Russian star does have 3 goals and 6 points through 7 games, but something has definitely been off. He isn't hitting the one-timers like he has in the past and he is definitely missing his dynamic duo partner.

The Capitals had two of their best players in Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson undergo surgery this offseason which as kept them out of the lineup. They brought in Connor Brown via trade with the Ottawa Senators to try and fill the void of Tom Wilson while he is out, but now even Brown is out with an injury.

Backstrom had resurfacing surgery on his hip on June 17th, and it's been said that this was a hard procedure to make it back from. Wilson who has surgery after injuring himself in game 1 of the playoffs last season against the Florida Panthers isn't expected back until December.

The good news though is both were seen skating yesterday.

On the ice this morning ahead of Capitals practice: Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. pic.twitter.com/4jWR2Vloya� Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) October 26, 2022

While it may not have been in gear and not for too long, it's a very positive sign that two players who had lower body surgeries are now healthy enough to begin skating.

Teammate T.J Oshie had this to say about Nicklas Backstrom:

It's so good to see, Nick told me at the bus stop this morning that he was going on the ice today for the first time, so I was crazy excited to get here and see him out there. Sure enough, he was throwing flat saucer passes out there like it was nothing and he hasn't skated in like six months, five months, whatever.

While many people have stated that Backstrom may never play again, the Capitals have kept the cap space open for Backstrom to return this year.