Nicklas Backstrom practicing

"Whew." And "woooooooooooooooooooo."

Hell yeah.

Best news of the day!

YESSSSSS! Thank the Hockey Gods for Bäckis!

glad to see Nicky is feeling better! hope all is well and light em up on Thurs.. tick tick tick tick cant wait..LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!

Ok, everybody, we can exhale now. Phew!

Here we go CAPS!!! Can't wait for tomorrow night.

On an unrelated note: What do you guys think about Ovechkin's odds to win another Hart Trophy. Obviously we all think he deserves it, but do you think he will actually get it?

Please be healthy!

I was wondering if maybe the Caps should start Theo at home and Varly on the Road. Keeps theo out of the montreal chaos and varly can always so No habla english when in montreal.

Posted by: RichC3 | April 14, 2010 10:15 AM

@RichC3: Excellent idea! IIRC, wasn't Varly's NHL debut a shutout dealt to MTL...in their own building?

Hey VarlyisNarly: Ovi=Hart? Yes, we know it's a slam dunk, but I'm not getting the same vibe that was out there last year for him on receiving the Hart. I'm not sure when consideration becomes "closed", but if it is open through the playoffs, it will depend how far the Caps go, don't you think?

Yeah, I started getting worried after Crosby's last game. He passed or pulled even with Ovi on goals and points which kinda nullifies the statistical arguement for Ovi, despite Ovi playing less games. I just don't think the hockey writers are going to look at the less games issue as part of their evaluations cause 4 were from suspension. I think he deserves it, but I don't think it's a slam dunk anymore.

I'm also not sure when the voting is closed on it, any one know?

Rhino....it was his debut, part of my thought process. Gave up one if I remember right, he plays well there, Theo not so much and you get both goalies into games,

@ Rich

When was the last time a team went into the playoffs using two goalies? I'm interested when this was last tried.

@everybody: Sorry to get my facts wrong, folks: Varly's NHL debut was in the Bell Centre, and it was a win, but it wasn't a shutout.

Young Semyon Aleksandrovich tallied 32 saves in a 2-1 stifling of the Bleu Blanc et Rouge.

The Hart is a regular season award.

Oh oh. Theo is hurt in practice !!!

What are you talking about guer?

Sweet skate strides and smooth shot stroke. Based on these 6 seconds of video, he is ready. Just make sure you take some Mucinex, Backy.

He's back in net now, according to Tariks' Tweet

Phew....

Now he's headed to the dressing room

Im @ KCI ... Looks like he hurt his back

Don't tell me the boys are gonna get snakebit now!!

Im @ KCI ... Looks like he hurt his back

That's not good.....

That sucks, how do you get hurt at the morning skate the day before playoffs start. This is a bit distressing.

New post, apparently his arm

Theo s not in the ice right now..

Even the thought of losing Backstrom finally makes Caps fans fully appreciate how much he means to the Caps. Ovie's shadow is large, but Nicky is unbelievable. I think it is time to start comparing him to Crosby rather than Ovie to Crosby. Their styles are more similar, and despite what our friends north of the border may think, Nicky is right up there with Sid.

Well, I guess BB knew what he was doing making sure both netminders got their games in before the playoffs. Hopefully Theo is okay.

The Hart and all other awards are regular season awards. Consideration ended at the close of the regular season monday night and I believe all ballots from perticipating parties have to be submitted to the NHL offices in Toronto before the start of the playoffs.

that should read sunday night, not monday

Thank the Lord Backie is well. I really think his play could make or break the Cup run. He is such an excellent passer and sets everyone up so well and now is scoring goals too!

Backs is probably the most vital member of the forward composition. If Nicky is not healthy, we will have a tough time getting through the playoffs. Glad to hear he is skating again for sure. Hard to imagine a hundred point scorer would be underrated around the league. Glad he is finally getting the national attention he deserves.

Good thing Backs is healthy. This is especially important if you believe the player profiles WaPo posted. 668 assists in one season is an incredible figure. I hope he picks up at least 100 in the playoffs.

I don't think Ovechkin will win the Hart this year. He'd be a good candidate but the rest of the team is so good this year that it's difficult to argue that he did as much for his team as someone like Ryan Miller or Bryzgalov. I'll be surprised if a forward wins the Hart this year.

Good to know all my Hail Marys and Our Fathers helped get Backie back on the ice!!!

Glad that man is back on ice. have a nice life montreal