LOS ANGELES | It wasn’t surprising that Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green were not on the ice at Staples Center on Monday morning, as neither Washington Capitals star figured to be in the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings.
But neither player was with the team, either. Backstrom (head) and Green (groin) both flew home to Washington, The Washington Times has learned.
Backstrom did not play Saturday night at the San Jose Sharks after taking an elbow to the head from Rene Bourque last Tuesday. He did not skate with the team Sunday. The team has not officially called his injury a concussion.
Green played 7:11 Saturday night before leaving with what coach Dale Hunter described as groin tightness. He had missed well over a month with a groin injury.
