Nicklas Backstrom 2014-2015 Season Review
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Our season review of each Washington Capitals player continues with the Capitals quiet superstar center Nicklas Backstrom
The Washington Capitals had a successful season in 2014-2015. Here at Stars and Sticks, we’ll analyze each of the Washington Capitals and their season. Yesterday, we took a look at Karl Alzner and how he thrived in a second pairing role that is perhaps more appropriate for him than a first pairing role. Today, we look at the Washington Capitals center who led the NHL in assists and asserted himself as an elite center, Nicklas Backstrom.
Washington Capitals Season Review: Nicklas Backstrom
THE GOOD: Nicklas Backstrom came into this season with high expectations. I imagine he fulfilled most of them. Nicklas Backstrom was a force to be reckoned with while at even strength, as he had 40 even strength points, his most since 2009-2010 and his third most in any season of his NHL career. While he did have one less assist and point in 2014-2015 than he had in 2013-2014, he wound up leading the NHL in assists.
He made great improvements to his overall game from last season, though that might have more to do with Barry Trotz knowing what he’s doing than Nicklas Backstrom. In 2013-2014, Backstrom had a 49.2% CorsiFor% at even strength despite having a offensive zone start percentage of 57.2% at even strength. This season, Trotz trusted Backstrom with tougher assignments and he flourished. His 56.1% even strength offensive zone start percentage in 2014-2015 was the second lowest of his career in a full season. His even strength CF% rose to 53.9%, which is the highest that it has been since 2010-2011. Funny what having a competent head coach does for you.
Nicklas Backstrom had his first regular season hat trick this season against the Tampa Bay Lightning and saw his most even strength time on ice per game with 15.3 minutes. Despite often facing his opponent’s best players, he was outstanding. Backstrom became a face-off monster, winning 54.4% of his draws, the highest of his career.
Nicklas Backstrom set the Washington Capitals franchise record for assists, which is outstanding when you think about it.
THE BAD: With more minutes, one would expect more points from Nicklas Backstrom. That wasn’t the case according to his rate stats. Note: all of these are at even strength.
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Nicklas Backstrom cut his penalty minutes by 14 minutes, but still, Backstrom is the kind of guy who you never want spending time in the sin bin. It’s never good when a guy like Backstrom is in the box. After being more aggressive shooting the puck in 2013-2014, Nicklas Backstrom took a step backward, taking just 153 shots on goal. Granted, if shots on goal were a pizza, Alex Ovechkin would eat seven slices, leaving his two line mates to fight over the last slice of pizza. That said, failing to average two shots on goal per game is not ideal from your first line center.
Nicklas Backstrom was virtually invisible against the New York Rangers. I really don’t like pointing fingers at one player, but Backstrom had two points in the series against the Rangers. That was a pretty big reason as to why the Capitals lost to the Rangers. Another reason: he had just eight shots on goal against the Rangers. For better or for worse, Backstrom must improve his play in the playoffs.
Perhaps Nicklas Backstrom will never get back to being the offensive force that he was under Bruce Boudreau. That said, Nicklas Backstrom needed to get back on track this season (as did all of the Capitals) and I can safely say that he did.
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FUTURE OUTLOOK: Will Nicklas Backstrom ever be the dynamic force that he was under Boudreau? I’d be willing to bet that the answer to that question is no. However, Backstrom is a very important piece to the Capitals puzzle of winning the Stanley Cup. As far as number one centers go, there are very few that I would take over Backstrom. It takes a lot for Backstrom to impress me because I have incredibly high expectations for him, but this season, I can honestly say that he impressed me.
GRADING ON A CURVE: On a scale of one to ten, how would you rank Nicklas Backstrom’s 2014-2015 season with the Washington Capitals relative to what you expected for him? One represents falling very short of your expectations, five represents barely meeting them, ten represents far exceeding them.
Check out the season reviews of Backstrom by our friends at Japers Rink and Russian Machine Never Breaks. Also, Alex Prewitt wrote about him here.
Tomorrow, we will look at Jay Beagle. Feel free to discuss Nicklas Backstrom in the comments!
Next: Nicklas Backstrom: The Most Underrated Player In The NHL