Nicklas Backstrom
Nicklas Backstrom doesn’t grace the spotlight the way Alex Ovechkin does but Caps fans appreciate him nonetheless. Friday night will mark the 900th regular season game that Ovechkin and Backstrom will suit up in together. Per the game notes, they’ve led the Caps to a record of 534-262-103, a .651 point percentage. That’s the equivalent of 107 standings points over the course of an 82 game season!
Backstrom has 869 career points in games together with Ovechkin with 229 goals and 614 assists. Backstrom has assisted on 254 of Ovechkin’s goals dating all the way back to his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2007 vs. the Atlanta Thrashers.
There’s a milestone watch for Backstrom. He needs just four points from becoming the second player in franchise history to reach 900 career points. The other player? You guessed it, Ovechkin. Backstrom has a chance at being the first player from his draft class and seventh Swedish-born to reach the 900 point mark. Backstrom already leads the franchise with 659 assists and among Swedish born players all time, that’s fifth.
Backstrom has improved since his return from injury with five points in four games including a goal in Washington’s win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday as well as their defeat on home ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Will we see the duo of Ovechkin and Backstrom connect tonight?