Capitals disagree with NHL's Backstrom suspension

The Capitals say they ''disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend'' center Nicklas Backstrom for Game 4 of Washington's first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

In a statement issued by the team Wednesday, the Capitals say: ''We do not understand why a suspension was imposed in this case'' and other episodes in the series weren't reviewed by the league.

Backstrom, for his part, says his cross-check of Rich Peverley at the end of Game 3 on Monday ''was stupid on my part.''

He will miss Thursday night's game in Washington. The Capitals are accustomed to playing without Backstrom, who sat out 40 games with a concussion during the regular season.

Boston leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.