Capitals add Nicklas Backstrom to COVID-19 protocol

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Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

The Washington Capitals have added centre Nicklas Backstrom to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

Backstrom will not be available to play for the Capitals who are scheduled to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.

The 34-year-old was officially activated from the injured non-roster list on Dec. 15 and made his season debut against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Backstrom was sidelined on the long-term injury reserve recovering from a left hip injury in the offseason.

Washington now has three players in the league’s COVID-19 protocol list in Backstrom, Garnet Hathaway and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

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