The puck has just dropped on Game 5 between the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders and... surprise, surprise... Nicky's back!
Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom has made his return to the lineup tonight after taking a hard hit from Isles captain Anders Lee way, way, waaaaay back in Game 1. The Capitals social media team confirmed Backstrom's return just prior to puck drop.
Check it out:
Suffice it to say, this is a HUGE development for the Capitals. They're up against a wall being down 3-1 in the series and cannot afford any missteps if they're going to continue their march to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Here's the hit in question from Lee back in Game 1:
Lee, for what it's worth, did not face any supplemental discipline for the hit but he did have to answer to Caps enforcer Tom Wilson.
Check it out: