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Washington Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Blackhawks

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#2 Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom could achieve a milestone tonight. After notching an assist on Friday night on T.J. Oshie’s second goal of the game. That assist was the 649th of his NHL career which tied him with Daniel Sedin for the fifth-most in NHL history by a Swedish-born player. One assist tonight and he passes him.

Backstrom has 881 career-points with 233 goals and 648 assists and is five points away from passing Peter Forsberg for the seventh-most points by a Swedish-born athlete.

In his career against the Blackhawks, Backstrom has recorded 15 points with five goals and 10 assists in 14 games.

Backstrom centered the top line alongside Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie during Friday’s game as well as Saturday’s practice. There shouldn’t be a change to that. Backstrom has recorded a point in four of the Caps last five games. He’s also an important component in their success this year and perhaps the future.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) skates against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) skates against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) on October 18, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

There is no doubt he would like to finish his career in Washington and Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan would love to figure out a way to get this deal done. A Capitals team without Ovechkin and Backstrom is a very weird thought. Then again Backstrom will go down in history regardless.

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