Capitals' Burakovsky returns for Game 1 vs. Lightning
Geoff Burke / Reuters
Andre Burakovsky is back.
The Washington Capitals forward returned to the lineup Friday for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after missing the past 10 games with an injury.
He had sat out all but two playoff games after undergoing minor surgery in April. The 23-year-old re-entered the lineup alongside Chandler Stephenson and Brett Connolly, forming the same third line that practiced together earlier Friday.
Burakovsky, who was a game-time decision, notched 12 goals and 13 assists in 56 appearances this season.
Meanwhile, fellow forward Nicklas Backstrom is also a game-time decision for Game 1. He missed the series-clincher versus the Pittsburgh Penguins due to an upper-body injury.