The Capitals lead the best-of-7 series 3-2. They will advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1998 and eliminate the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions with a win.
RELATED: [Complete Capitals vs. Penguins series coverage]
"Game-time decision," coach Barry Trotz said. "And if it's not favorable, there are a lot of guys who are willing to step up. So we're in a good spot."
Backstrom did not participate in the morning skate Monday. The 30-year-old center left with an upper-body injury at 6:48 of the third period in Game 5 on Saturday after he appeared to block a shot with his hand during a Penguins power play midway through the first.
Backstrom's 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are tied for second on the Capitals with Evgeny Kuznetsov, one behind Alex Ovechkin. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in five games against the Penguins.
Lars Eller, who replaced Backstrom at second-line center in Game 5, was there again with Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie at morning skate.
"Other guys step up and fill in some roles, play more minutes," Eller said. "And regardless if Nick is playing or not, we're confident we can get a win here today."
Backstrom has played in 107 of the Capitals' 108 playoff games since 2008. He was suspended for Game 4 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Bruins for cross-checking Bruins forward Rich Peverley.
The Capitals are missing forwards Andre Burakovsky (upper body) and Tom Wilson, who will serve the final game of a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese in Game 3. Burakovsky began skating Friday but did not travel to Pittsburgh.
