The Washington Capitals will welcome a familiar face back to the lineup Sunday, with veteran pivot Nicklas Backstrom making his season debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Backstrom has been sidelined the entire 2022-23 season after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in June. The 35-year-old has dealt with hip issues for a large portion of his career. He missed the opening 28 games of last season while recovering from an injury and had arthroscopic surgery in 2015.

His resurfacing procedure was considered much more serious than previous operations.

Backstrom has spent his entire 15-year career with the Capitals after he was drafted fourth overall in 2006. He's racked up 1,011 points in 1,058 games with the franchise but struggled last season with a career-low 0.53 points-per-game average.

The Capitals have been hit hard with injuries this season, playing half the campaign without Backstrom and top-six fixture Tom Wilson. They've overcome the key absences in spades, though, currently holding the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.

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