Capitals LW Semin suffers back injury

Dec 19, 2008 - 4:33 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Semin could be out of action again.

The Russian re-injured his back in Thursday's 4-2 win over St. Louis and is scheduled to be evaluated on Friday.

Semin just returned to the Washington lineup last week after missing 12 games with a back injury, suffered on November 14. He was leading the NHL in scoring with 27 points at the time of that setback.

The injury was aggravated on Thursday when the Blues' David Backes cross-checked Semin in the small of his back. Semin, who collapsed to the ice in pain after absorbing the hit, did not return to the game.

"(The hit) was just above the protection part of the pad," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He just missed some games because of that."

The Capitals are 5-0-0 since Semin returned, and the 24-year-old has registered a point in each of those contests. Overall, the club has won 10 consecutive games in which Semin has played.