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Nicklas Backstrom tallies point number 1000

By Ian Oland

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March 9, 2022 10:24 pm

Nicklas Backstrom just scored his 1,000th career point against the Edmonton Oilers. His dashboard stats now read 263g, 737a, 1000p.

Nicke’s milestone point came on a primary assist via a TJ Oshie power-play goal in the third period. The goal tied the game between the Capitals and Oilers 2-2.

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Backstrom set up Oshie as he streaked down the right wing entering the offensive zone. Osh then ripped a shot past Mikko Koskinen short side. The goal came at the 6:13 mark of the third period.

Evgeny Kuznetsov picked up the milestone puck and brought it back to the bench.

In pure Nicke form, his initial bid for point 1,000, a primary assist on a John Carlson power-play goal, was called back due to him being offside as TJ Oshie tried to bring the puck into the offensive zone. Backstrom hilariously told his teammates in the goal hug.

Backstrom collected point no. 999 earlier in the second period after scoring on a broken play. Backstrom did a spin-o-rama and knocked a loose puck into the back of the net past Mikko Koskinen after an Anthony Mantha centering pass was sticked down to the ice.

Backstrom is now the second Capitals player to ever score 1,000 points with the franchise, joining longtime teammate Alex Ovechkin (1,390). He is the sixth Swede to reach the mark joining Mats Sundin (1,349), Daniel Alfredsson (1,157), Nicklas Lidstrom (1,142), Henrik Sedin (1,070) and Daniel Sedin (1,041). He is the 93rd player in NHL history to reach the milestone.

Earlier in the week, Backstrom told NHL.com that “I’m happy about my achievements too, but I’m not screaming about them.

“I’m just very fortunate that I can still play and reach milestones,” Backstrom added. “But this is just a side milestone, even if it’s a big one. It’s not where I put my mind at… I want to reach other goals for the team.”

Congratulations, Nicke!

Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:

Nicklas Backstrom Records 1,000th Career Point

ARLINGTON, Va. – Capitals alternate captain Nicklas Backstrom recorded his 1,000th career point in his 1,037th NHL game Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, becoming the second player in franchise history to reach the milestone (Alex Ovechkin: 1,390 points). Additionally, Backstrom is the 40th player in NHL history to record 1,000 points with one franchise and his 737 career assists are the sixth-most through a player’s first 1,000 points in NHL history.

Backstrom has earned 1,000 points (263g, 737a) in 1,037 career games with the Capitals. He ranks first in franchise history in assists (737), second in points (1,000), games played (1,037), power-play points (405) and overtime goals (9) and fourth in goals (263) and power-play goals (80). Backstrom was drafted by Washington in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2006 NHL Draft.

Since his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2007, Backstrom is the fifth player to record 1,000 points during that span, joining Ovechkin (1,192), Sidney Crosby (1,159), Patrick Kane (1,152) and Evgeni Malkin (1,043). During this span, Backstrom additionally ranks first in the NHL with 737 assists and second with 405 power play points, despite ranking 17th in games played. He is the first player from his 2006 NHL Draft class to reach the mark, and he holds a 62-point lead over the next highest scoring player from his class (Phil Kessel: 938 career points).

In addition to becoming the 93rd player in NHL history to reach the milestone, Backstrom is the sixth Swedish player in NHL history to record 1,000 points. Backstrom ranks fourth among Swedish players in NHL history with 737 assists. His 0.96 points per game rate ranks second among Swedish players with at least 1,000 points, only behind Mats Sundin, who averaged 1.00 points per game and is the all-time Swedish points leader with 1,349.

Backstrom owns five of the top-10 highest single-season assist totals in franchise history (2009-10: 68a; 2008-09: 66a; 2016-17: 63a; 2013-14: 61a; 2014-15: 60a). He is one of 28 players in NHL history and one of four active players to record five 60-assist seasons (Joe Thornton: 8; Crosby: 6; Connor McDavid: 5). Backstrom’s personal career high of 101 points (33g, 68a) during the 2009-10 season is the seventh most points by a player in franchise history, and he’s one of just four Capitals to reach the 100-point mark in a season (Ovechkin: four times; Dennis Maruk and Mike Gartner). During the 2020-21 season, Backstrom led the team with 53 points (15g, 38a) and played in his 1,000th career game on April 15, 2021 against the Buffalo Sabres.

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