Trotz: Backstrom's return from injury is up to him

The Washington Capitals stunned the hockey world with their Game 1 and 2 victories over the Tampa Bay Lightning in South Florida, and they did it despite star centerman Nicklas Backstrom being sidelined with an upper-body injury.

However, Caps head coach Barry Trotz told the media on Monday that Backstrom is "day to day" and the decision to return to the lineup is completely up to him, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post.

Backstrom left Game 5 of Washington's second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period and has not seen any game action since.

Prior to getting hurt, Backstrom was in the midst of a sensational postseason, racking up three goals and 10 assists through 11 games.

Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.