There is growing concern about Nicklas Backstrom, the Washington Capitals No. 1 center who got hurt during his NHL lockout stint in Russia and this week went to see a specialist.
George McPhee can't talk about it yet. It's probably best for Washington Capitals fans not to think about it.
The Washington Capitals aren't as photogenic as they used to be. We may never, for instance, see Alexander Ovechkin score another goal while lying on his back. But what they've evolved into is much more pleasing to the eyes. They've become, in baseball parlance, a tough out.
Leave the euphemisms about playing with an "edge" or "emotion" to Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien and his players.
