Quebecers Anthony Mantha and Nicolas Aubé-Kubel are left out by the Washington Capitals to make room for forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson’s return to line-up on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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At least that’s what the media from the American capital revealed, including the Washington Hockey Now website, on Sunday after morning training.
Mantha have nine goals and 23 points in 42 games so far this season. He was limited to 9:48 minutes of play by his head coach Peter Laviolette on Friday against the Nashville Predators.
Aubé-Kubel has two goals and six points in 20 games, including six with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Backstrom and Wilson will play their first game of the season after being sidelined with hip and knee injuries, respectively. In their absence, the Capitals still went 22-14-6.