Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter says that the Boston Bruins are “crossing the line” in regards to their approach at defending center Nicklas Backstrom, according to CBC Sports.

Backstrom missed half of the season due to a concussion, and has recently returned to the ice. He played in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference playoff series Monday night, and Hunter felt as though the Bruins were targeting his head.

“It is crossing the line. To grab his head all the time is not the right way to play.” Hunter said of the Bruins.

Backstrom was issued a misconduct penalty for putting his stick in the face of Rich Peverly Monday night in Boston’s 4-3 victory, which Hunter argues was an act of defense.

The Capitals will take on the Bruins in Game 4 on Thursday in Washington DC.

After missing 40 games with a concussion, center Nicklas Backstrom returns to the Washington Capitals tonight, according to the Associated Press.

Backstrom suffered the injury when he was elbowed in the head by Rene Bourque in a Jan. 4 win over the Calgary Flames. He returns tonight to led the Caps against the Montreal Canadiens.

With 13 goals and 29 assists this season, Backstrom still ranks fifth on his team with 42 points despite the long absence.

The Caps are 39-31-8 on the season, second in Southeast Division and tied with the Buffalo Sabres for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Calgary Flames forward Rene Bourque has been suspended five games for delivering an elbow to the head of Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom during last night’s loss to the Capitals, according to the NHL.

The incident occurred midway through the third period, with the Flames trailing 3-1. A minor penalty for elbowing was assessed on the play.

Bourque was punished stiffly by the league, however, since he’d classified as a repeat offender — he was also suspended for two games last month for an illegal hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook.

The 30-year-old left winger will forfeit $203,252.05 in salary, with the money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Bourque’s suspension is slated to begin tomorrow, as the Flames visit the Bruins, and he will be eligible to return on Jan. 17 at San Jose.