Washington Capitals: Top 3 studs against Devils

#2 Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backstrom entered this game as well as the last few sitting at 699 career assists. At 2:32, Jakub Vrana fed the puck to Tom Wilson. Wilson and Backstrom passed the puck back and fourth down ice until Backstrom finished it off for his team leading 10th goal of the season.

Backstrom’s 10th goal came in his 22nd game which has been his fastest start to a season in his career. After the game, Backstrom was asked about his hot scoring. He honestly had no words for it.

Backstrom said via JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington:

"“I honestly don’t know what is going on. Just got to enjoy it I guess.”"

For years it was the other way around. Backstrom would be talking about Alex Ovechkin’s scoring. On Sunday, Ovechkin was talking about Backstrom’s gifted goal scoring abilities. Ovechkin said:

"“He’s an unbelievable passer, but he’s a great shooter as well. He’s right now a scoring machine.”"

Ovechkin had similar words for Backstrom in the 2019 playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes. Although the Caps came up short in seven games, Ovechkin and Backstrom carried the way for the Caps. That series, Backstrom led the team with five goals while Ovechkin added four.