Ben Raby, wtop.com
ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom is in Sweden to spend time with his family, a team spokesman confirmed to WTOP Monday.
The Capitals’ top center has been sidelined with a concussion since taking an elbow to the head from then-Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque on Jan. 3.
In the last 58 days, Backstrom skated for just five minutes on Jan. 23. He has since been limited to riding a stationary bike.
According to the team, Backstrom is not seeing any medical specialists in Sweden. The return home is strictly to see family and to spend some time away from hockey.
It’s similar to what Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby did last season when he spent time in Nova Scotia while recovering from his concussion.
The Caps have won 11 of the 27 games Backstrom has missed, and Dale Hunter continues to search for answers for a power play unit that is 2-34 since Feb. 12, and 6-68 since Jan. 13.
Backstrom remains the Capitals’ second leading scorer this season with 42 points in 38 games.
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