Nicky is not in the Caps lineup tonight vs. San Jose. He has fully practiced since being elbowed in the mush by that cake-eater Rene Bourque and did make the trip to California.  As of yesterday he was feeling “pretty good”.

Here’s the cutest locker room interview ever [link], where Nicky talks some very polite smack about Sweden beating Russia in the WJC.  He was smart enough to make not bets with Ovi, but he gets in his digs.

As of this morning: “No, he’s not going to play,” Coach Dale Hunter said, when asked for an update on Backstrom’s status. “You’ve just got to be careful, he feels good but still got to be careful with it.” [WashingtonPost.com/CapitalsInsider]

We hope the Little Orphan Annie look means he’s really just taking his time and will be back soon.  The Caps next play Monday night in Los Angeles.