Washington Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Penguins

#2 Nicklas Backstrom

After a bit of a down year last season, Nicklas Backstrom has been on fire to start the season. Backstrom has recorded points in each of the first three Caps games with two goals and two assists. This marks the second time in the last three seasons Backstrom has recorded at least four points in the first three games of the season. In 2018-19 he had a goal and five assists in the first three games.

In the 2018-19 season, Backstrom averaged 0.93 points per game and ended the year with 74 points in 80 games. Having played in 958 games so far, Backstrom is three games shy of passing Peter Bondra (961) and 25 games of Calle Johansson (983) for the second most games played in franchise history. Backstrom is 28 assists shy of passing Daniel Alfredsson (713 for the fourth most assists by a Swedish born player.

Backstrom became the second player in franchise history to reach the 900 point mark and currently sits at 931 points behind only Alex Ovechkin with 1,282. Backstrom has 245 career goals and 686 assists.

Backstrom finished last season with 42 assists, ending his six consecutive seasons of recording 50 assists. He’s one of 18 players in NHL history to accomplish that feat.

Dowd and Backstrom aren’t the only two players worth keeping an eye on. There’s one more.