Washington Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom will be player to watch against Rangers
The Washington Capitals will take on the New York Rangers this afternoon. This was initially supposed to be the first of a two game series but with the NHL schedule changes the Caps will host the New Jersey Devils tomorrow night. As far as players to watch in this afternoon’s game, the one player to keep your eyes on is Nicklas Backstrom.
Backstrom leads the Caps with 20 points with eight goals and 12 assists in 15 games. Per the game notes, that’s tied for the eighth most points in the NHL through games played Feb. 18. He’s also on a five game point streak with three goals and four assists in that stretch.
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This is Backstrom’s second time in his career he’s had this hot of a start. This year he required 15 or fewer games to reach 20 points for the second time in his career after it took him 14 games in the 2011-12 season. Backstrom has recorded a point in 13 of Washington’s 15 games, the most games with a point in the MassMutual East Divisioin.
Backstrom is also a player to watch on the milestone tracker. He needs just four assists for 700 in his career. If he reaches that mark he would become one of three active players to reach the 700 assist mark and the fifth Swedish born player in NHL history joining Nicklas Lidstrom (878), Henrik Sedin (830), Mats Sundin (785) and Daniel Alfredsson (713).
Backstrom’s 0.72 assists per game are tied for the second most among active NHL players with at least 500 assists which is also tied for the 17th highest rate in NHL history among players with 500 assists.
never give up, kids pic.twitter.com/YmlhPCAg2G
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2021
Backstrom got the scoring started in Thursday night’s win against the Buffalo Sabres. It marked his 251st career goal which tied him with Mats Naslund (251) for the 11th most goals by a Swedish born player in NHL history.
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Can Backstrom continue his hot streak and can the Caps win three in a row? Here is how to find out.
Date: February 20, 2021
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Washington and NHL Network
Radio: Caps Radio 24/7, 106.7 The Fan
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