On a night in which it wasn’t even clear if he was going to play, Nicklas Backstrom dominated. The Swedish center showed off his uncanny playmaking ability, as well as scoring a goal himself.
On the first goal of the game, Backstrom stole the puck forechecking off a draw. On a quick 2-on-1, Backstrom hit T.J. Oshie, who went bar-down past Cory Schneider.
Great work from @backstrom19. Good luck stopping @TJOshie77 from there.#CapsDevils on @NBCSWashington. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ldvsF2VT5c
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 13, 2017
In the second stanza, the Caps were on the powerplay when Backstrom, the half-wall maestro, sent a beauty of a backhand pass through the middle of the Devils’ penalty kill. Right on target, the puck found Alex Ovechkin, who snapped it into the net for his ninth goal of the season.
A "fling shot" from the office. @Ovi8 has 9. #CapsDevils #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/J7GZTwgFvs
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 14, 2017
Again on the powerplay, but this time in the third, Backstrom again connected with Oshie, who put the biscuit in the basket.
OSH-BAE makes it a two-goal lead. #CapsDevils #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/SWLFDCGQ87
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 14, 2017
Finally, just a few minutes later, Backstrom found the net himself. On the second half of the double minor doled out after a high-stick to Lars Eller, Ovechkin shot the puck wide, right to the skate of Backstrom. The puck deflected in, giving Backstrom his fourth point of the game.
Backstrom is our hero. #CapsDevils #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DEFOasI1yu
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 14, 2017
Friday marks Backstrom’s third multiple-point game of the season.
