TAMPA, Fla. -- Center Nicklas Backstrom missed his third straight playoff game with a right hand injury, as the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday night.
Backstrom took the morning skate but didn't take line rushes or a role on the power play. He walked out of Amalie Arena wearing a brace on his right hand, which was injured in Game 5 of the Capitals' semifinal series against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Backstrom blocked a shot from Justin Schultz.
He missed the Capitals' series-clinching game against the Penguins and Game 1 victory over the Lightning.
Lars Eller has moved up to the second line in Backstrom's place.
Capitals coach Barry Trotz has said Backstrom is considered "day to day" and he expects the center to play in this series.
