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Nicklas Backstrom: The Capitals have ‘only positive vibes’ heading into the playoffs

By Ian Oland

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May 13, 2021 12:13 pm

The Chinese rocket plummeting back to Earth, Dogecoin’s value plummeting, and Target ending its sale of trading cards. These are all things not currently filling the mindspace of Nicklas Backstrom.

“Going into the playoffs, you got to make sure you have that good feeling in your body and you’re excited about the upcoming games,” Backstrom said recently. “That’s where this group is right now. We’re excited about this. Only positive vibes.”

Backstrom would know. After not advancing past the second round in his first 10 seasons in the NHL, the Swedish center, along with Alex Ovechkin, led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018. That team kept it loose and fun.

Heading into the 2021 playoffs, Ovechkin and Backstrom own the Capitals records for career playoff goals, assists, points, and games played, according to the NHL’s PR. They also have the franchise benchmark for most years in the postseason (currently 12). They are two of 13 active players with at least 100 career playoff points, and one of five sets of current teammates on that list (also Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, PIT; David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, BOS; Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, CHI; Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, SJS).

So keep it light with Nicke. After two straight first-round exits, he doesn’t want your negativity or unfavorable math. He doesn’t want to feel like this.

He’s just here to have some fun and assist on some pretty goals. His vibes are pretty much the opposite of these guys.

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington

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