Photo credit: Rob Carr

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom seems to do everything quietly. He’s tied for third in the NHL point race, but you’d be hard pressed to hear anyone talking about it. In Thursday’s shootout win over the Minnesota Wild, Backstrom had 4 shots, the primary assist on Alex Ovechkin‘s power play goal, and the SOGWG (shoot out game-winning goal).

In a game where the Capitals were outplayed for long stretches, Backstrom was the difference-maker.

Backstrom’s four shots on goal all came at even-strength. The added buoyance of Martin Erat to the top line seems to have lightened the load a bit for Backstrom. With Backstrom shooting in addition to feeding the puck, the Capitals finally have a two-headed monster on their first line.

Here’s Backstrom’s pass to Alex Ovechkin, eerily open, to open up the Caps’ scoring.

Later, Backstrom pulled whatever you want to call this move to beat Minnesota’s Ryan Suter and got a shot on goal.

GIF by welshhockeyfan

No, seriously. What even was that move?

Backstrom’s even-strength play helped the Caps survive to OT, and his shootout attempt– oozing with calm intensity– secured the win.

GIF by welshhockeyfan

Just past the circles, Backstom released a wrister that seemed at first an easy save for Josh Harding. Instead, the puck drifted to the far glove save– finding the back of the net and giving the Capitals a perfect record on their three-game home stand.

The Capitals are vaulting up the Metro standings, and it’s due in no small part to Nicky B. Onward to Arizona.

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott