Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom key to title

The Washington Capitals stressed depth at center as the key ingredient in winning the Stanley Cup. A closer look shows how right they are.

Washington Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan recently told The Atlantic (subscription required) the backbone building a Stanley Cup champion is depth at center.

When your top two are Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom, both considered in the NHL Top 20, your argument carries merit. Lars Eller as the third-line center does not hurt things either.

Kuznetsov and Backstrom are playmakers. They create chances by passing, hold their own on defense and have solid shots themselves. Although Alex Ovechkin ran away with 49 goals to lead the team and league, Kuznetsov and Backstrom combined for 48.

As Ovechkin scored 17 on the power play, they pumped in 14. Kuznetsov lit the lamp on 14.4 percent of his shots and Backstrom found success 12.7 percent. Those numbers cause nightmares for opposing goalies.

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So do their combined 106 assists. Kuznetsov finished four points behind Ovechkin for the team scoring battle 87 to 83. Backstrom had 71 points printed on the back of his hockey card. Third on the team.

Those assists were not only a product of finding John Carlson or Ovechkin on the power play either. Although they combined for 41 assists with an advantage, 64 came at even strength. That is a sweet calling card to have in your back pocket.

When it counted the most, Kuznetsov and Backstrom delivered in the championship clutch.

Kuznetsov led the team in scoring for the playoffs with 32 points. Backstrom missed four games with injury and dished out 18 assists and 23 points. On the ice a combined 38:29 a night during the season, they skated 41:10 as a pair in the playoffs.

Talk about tired legs.

With Eller, who scored the Cup winner, anchoring the third line, Washington has a deep trio who can play both ways. Remember, he scored 18 and delivered 20 assists himself.

Kuznetsov has Ovechkin to create chances with. The key this year is helping Tom Wilson turn into a full two-way threat on the first line. Wilson will take care of policing the opposition. A full year out front should give him 20 goals at least.

Backstrom and Andre Burakovsky are the duo to watch this fall.

Burakovsky heads into an arbitration year and would love to pile up the regular season numbers. Last year, he scored 25 points in 5 games. If healthy, he can do better. With T.J. Oshie on the other wing, the two veterans can create chances.

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How well the depth plays out come next spring remains a mystery. The Washington Capitals hold tremendous team chemistry with everyone stepping up when it counted. You know Evgeny Kuznetsov will produce. Nicklas Backstrom is in a great position to bolster his Hall of Fame chances too. MacLellan is right. Depth at center is a big advantage.

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