Nicklas Backstrom met with reporters at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday to talk about Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record.
Backstrom spoke at length about what makes Ovechkin such a special goal-scorer, and shared his perspective on why the Washington Capitals’ captain is on the precipice of such huge NHL history.
But during the chat he also revealed something special that will be meaningful to Caps fans who have watched Ovi’s chase since the beginning: the Swedish centerman will be in the building when Ovi scores the record-breaking goal. Ovechkin currently sits 7 goals away from immortality after scoring his 888th career goal on Thursday.
Here’s how the conversation went:
Are you going to travel as he gets closer (to the record)?
Nicklas Backstrom: When he gets closer, yeah.
What’s the plan—have you thought about what number you’ll start traveling?
Nicklas Backstrom: We’ll see. We’re going to talk about that later, but as we all know, he can score a hat trick when he wants. So soon, I think so.
Backstrom has assisted on 279 of Ovechkin’s 888 goals, more than any other player, and holds the Capitals’ franchise lead in assists. When he hits the road in the coming days, he will join Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman, who previously announced their intention to travel with the Capitals and see the moment live. Other former Capitals players and close friends of Ovechkin, Alex Semin, and Ilya Kovalchuk, have said they plan to do the same as well.
After stepping away from the team in November 2023 due to a hip injury, he has has been around the team on and off even while unable to play. The 37-year-old pivot joined the team on a four-game road trip last season and has participated in various on and off-ice ceremonies, including the team’s recent “Rock the Red” Era night where all fans in attendance received Ovechkin-Backstrom dual bobbleheads.
While Ovechkin was out with a broken leg, Backstrom returned to the team’s practice facility and practiced with the Russian superstar to help him regain his timing out on the ice.
Backstrom also attended Ovechkin’s 800-goal game in Chicago while out with injury. He gave Ovechkin a huge hug after the Capitals winger scored a hat trick to reach the milestone. Backstrom participated with his teammates in giving Ovechkin a beer bath in the locker room.
