Mar 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) waves to the crowd after assisting on a goal by Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (not pictured) against the Boston Bruins in the first period at Verizon Center. Backstrom became the franchise's all-time assist leader on the play. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The First Annual Washington Capital’s Academy Awards!
Mar 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) waves to the crowd after assisting on a goal by Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (not pictured) against the Boston Bruins in the first period at Verizon Center. Backstrom became the franchise’s all-time assist leader on the play. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
In honor of tonight’s 89th Academy Awards show, we’ll be handing out our own Washington Capital’s Oscars at Stars and SticksWe’ll start with the group/smaller awards and then move on to the individual biggies. Welcome to the first annual Washington Capital’s Oscars!
Best Picture (Best Game): 7-1 victory vs. Pittsburgh Penguins. Released: November 16th, 2016
Now, we know, we could’ve very well picked the January 16th game against the Penguins in which 15 goals (!!!!) were scored … but this is a WASHINGTON CAPITAL’S Academy Award show, so we’re sticking with a victory. If Pen’s Labyrinth wants to do a Penguin’s Oscars, then go ahead take what would’ve been our nominee.
What a great game this one was though, home at the Verizon Center the Washington Capitals put up 7 goals against the Penguins! The Penguins! Nothing could have made this game better.
The Capitals scored 3 goals in both the opening and closing periods en route to their 7-1 victory. Caps goals were scored by T.J. Oshie (2), Nicklas Backstrom (2), Dmitry Orlov, Justin Williams, and Alex Ovechkin. Also, congrats to Stanley Cup Champion, Phil Kessel, how managed to score in an outright massacre.
Best Visual Effects (Best Save): Braden Holtby, 7-1 victory vs Pittsburgh Penguins. Released: November 16th, 2016
This game is practically the La La Land of Washington Capital’s Oscars.
Holtby is having another Vezina caliber year and will most likely win his second straight this offseason. Before he takes home the Vezina though, he’ll be taking home the Capital’s Oscar for Best Visual Effects for this beauty of a paddle stop.
This potential goal could have easily changed the momentum and outcome of this game. Without it, we may have had to chose another winner for Best Picture.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Bottom 6 MVP): Andre Burakovsky
Jan 16, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 8-7 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
Sometimes you gotta give a shoutout to the little guys who work just as hard, but don’t get as much attention. I mean, it also helps when they’re playing support to our lead that we’ll get to earlier.
Who other to get this award than Andre Burakovsky? Yes he has been injured recently, but when healthy Burakovsky is unstoppable. Consider his injury an actor taking a break after a box-office hit until he finds the right role to come to him again.
In 52 games, playing primarily on the third line, Burakovsky has tallied 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points. His 29 points is good for 8th on the team, despite missing the last few weeks with his hand injury.
Best Actor in a Lead Role (Mid-season MVP): Nicklas Backstrom
Feb 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) skates with the puck past Detroit Red Wings center Gustav Nyquist (14) in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
This one was obvious. Ovechkin is great but Nicklas Backstrom is miles ahead of most in the whole league, never mind the Washington Capitals.
Backstrom is having a career year thus far. He leads the team with 63 points, 9 points ahead of Ovechkin who is in second. Those 6th points tie him with Patrick Kane for 5th place overall in the league.
Underrated by everyone outside of Washington D.C., Backstrom deserves to be in the Hart race. The top center on the leagues top team, the Washington Capitals would not be in the same place they are today without Backstrom.
