Washington Capitals News

Backstrom (hip) was a full participant in Monday's practice and could make his season debut on Wednesday.

Backstrom has missed the first 28 games of the season but could be back Wednesday vs. the Blackhawks. Backstrom practiced on the second line and top power-play unit on Monday but head coach Peter Laviolette could not confirm that he would be available for his season debut on Wednesday.

Nicklas Backstrom
The Maple Leafs have placed Rasmus Sandin (lower-body) on IR.

Sandin left Saturday's game vs. the Jets after a knee-on-knee collision with Neal Pionk. The Jets' defenseman was suspended for two games for the play but it looks like Sandin could miss an extended period of time. The Maple Leafs recalled Alex Biega and Kristiāns Rubīns from the AHL to help replace Sandin.

Rasmus Sandin