Stars and Sticks
Fansided

Capitals: Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom shine in 900th NHL game

By Michael Marzzacco

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) talks with Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) talks with Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom suited up for their 900th NHL game on Friday night and Washington Capitals fans weren’t disappointed.

Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom made an impact right from the get go and were MVP’s in their own way in the Washington Capitals 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.

Ovechkin with a goal and an assist while Backstrom had a four-point night with a pair of goals and assists. They both connected with each other on their own goals with Backstrom feeding Ovechkin for the first goal. Backstrom gave Ovechkin the puck entering the zone and Ovechkin blasted it from downtown to tie the game at one

Backstrom deflected in a shot for Washington’s second goal of the night to give the Caps the lead for good. That goal came 70 seconds after the Ovechkin tally and it was fitting seeing both of them get on the scoresheet in their 900th game together.

More from Capitals News

Backstrom added his second goal of the game late in the second period at 4-on-4 that would go on to be the game-winning goal after the Devils tied it. Ovechkin had the secondary assist on the goal, adding another one to the list of tallies the pair has connected with.

In the regular season, the dynamic duo of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have amassed a record of 535-262-103. Both Backstrom and Ovechkin have been linked together from the moment they were on stage together after Ovechkin announced him as the fourth pick in the 2006 NHL Draft.

That 1-2 punch of Ovechkin and Backstrom have created nightmares for opposing goaltenders across the NHL. The two have shared a bond and it was shown across the hockey world when Ovechkin and Backstrom both carried the Stanley Cup down the ice at T-Mobile Arena.

In addition to 900 games with Ovechkin, Backstrom now has 900 career points with that 400-point performance. Per NHL stats, Ovechkin and Backstrom are the 21st set of teammates to reach the 900-game milestone together.

Backstrom told NHL.com after the game:

"“It’s great, actually. I mean, I wasn’t expecting that, but sometimes that happens. It’s fun being part of this organization for this long, and playing with such a great player like Alex … that’s very fortunate for me, so I just have to enjoy every moment.”"

Related Story. Capitals bounce back with 6-3 win over Devils. light

With Backstrom in the final year of his contract, who knows how much longer we’ll get to see him and Ovechkin on the ice together. Regardless, this is a season where we should enjoy every moment.

Home/Capitals News