While Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome assisted on Alex Ovechkin’s record-breaking 895th career goal, there’s no other Washington Capitals player that has helped Ovi more to reach NHL immortality than Nicklas Backstrom.
Backstrom, who assisted on 279 of Ovechkin’s career goals, was at Capital One Arena when Ovi tied the record on Friday and was in the house at UBS Arena when he surpassed Wayne Gretzky, Sunday.
After the game, Backstrom came into the locker room to congratulate his former teammate and began crying — the moment and his role in it finally hitting him. The embrace was reminiscent of the pair’s hug after winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Monumental Sports Network posted the memorable video of the two franchise greats together on X.
The two exchanged a long hug as Backstrom said something into Ovechkin’s ear. The duo then took a photo with the milestone 895th career goal puck before Ovechkin kissed Backstrom on the cheek — a beautiful moment.
“Backy is the guy that helped most assist on my goals,” Ovechkin said to Al Koken after the game. “As soon as I see him, I almost cry. Me and him been together since Day 1.”
Later, while speaking to the rest of the media, Ovechkin said of Backstrom, “We play together, we’ve been in so many different situations together. That relationship, that moment when him and Osh be here, yeah, it’s tremendous. It’s support, it’s always been like that, you know? I tell him, without you, I can never get that milestone.”
Backstrom, the Capitals’ franchise leader in assists with 762, was among the Capitals contingent that traveled up to Long Island for the game, along with TJ Oshie and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Swedish center admitted to the press he was grateful be a part of Ovechkin’s big night, calling it special. He also credited Ovi for never changing.
“He’s the same person he is outside, from inside the locker room,” Backstrom said. “He’s the same person when he got to the league from now. That’s who he is. And that’s why I think so many people love him and cheer for him.”
