To celebrate the turn of the decade, the Washington Capitals named their top 10 moments of the 2010s and you guys, there were a lot of good highlights to pick from.
The Capitals’ list includes several big goals during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2018, several round-number milestones by a few of its stars, past playoff heroics, and the team’s Winter Classic wins.
Back from injury, Tom Wilson obviously feels well enough to score a greasy goal from the paint, notching his 13th of the season.
Wilson’s tally tied the game in the first period.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom managed an impressive feat during the decade. Ovechkin scored more goals (437) than any other NHL player while Nicklas Backstrom had the most assists (511).
According to the Capitals, the Caps’ dynamic duo is the second pair of teammates in NHL history to lead an entire decade in both respective categories and play with one team (1960s: Chicago Blackhawk forwards Bobby Hull: 429g, Stan Mikita: 489a).
By Ian Oland 4 weeks ago
According to the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, Nicklas Backstrom’s contract impasse with the Capitals is not about money.
It’s about contract length.
The Washington Capitals’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Lighting Friday is the team’s final home game before the Christmas holiday. So the team went all out.
Captain, the team’s dog, looked pawsitively jolly, nailing the Kris Kringle vibe with a red Santa suit and hat. Meanwhile, many of the Caps’ players wore ugly holiday suits.
These photos and videos were the adorable result.
During a milestone game he shared with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom authored an individual accomplishment of his own and for once, overshadowed his Russian sidekick.
The Swedish center, in his 900th career game with Ovechkin, tallied his 900th career point after putting up four points (2g, 2a) against the lowly but scrappy New Jersey Devils. Backstrom was the number one star of the night.
“It great actually,” Backstrom said after the game. “I wasn’t expecting that but sometimes it happens. It’s fun being a part of this organization for this long. For playing with such a great player like Alex, it’s very fortunate on my side. You need to enjoy every moment.”
Backstrom is now the second Capitals player and seventh Swedish player ever to hit the 900-point plateau.
By Ian Oland 1 month ago
Before Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom played in their 900th game together, they sat down with NBCSW’s Joe Beninati to look back on their relationship over the years. The chemistry and camaraderie between the two were on full display.
The perennially underrated and understated Backstrom started the nostalgiac reflection in a blase way, saying he felt “like nothing has changed” in their on-ice relationship. “I feel like he’s a pure goalscorer, and I’m trying to give him the puck, so he makes my job easier.”
By Brennin Weiswerda 1 month ago
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom became the 22nd teammates in NHL history to ever play 900 games together Friday against the New Jersey Devils.
To celebrate the milestone, Ovi and Nicky decided to score the Capitals’ first goals of the night consecutively to complete a perfect storyline arc.
Nicklas Backstrom is in the final season of a 10-year, $67 million contract he originally signed on May 17, 2010, and will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But if both the Capitals and Backstrom had their way, he will have signed to a new deal before then.
GM Brian MacLellan said on November 26 that the Capitals “want [Backstrom] back. He’s a big part of our organization and we’re going to do whatever we can to get him back.” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has predicted Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin will retire as Capitals. Meanwhile, Backstrom himself, who is negotiating a new contract without an agent, has stated several times that he would like to come back. “I love it here. I love the fans. I love everything about being in this city,” Backstrom said. “I would like to stay, yeah. So hopefully we’ll come up with a solution.”
Thursday, in an interview on DC101’s Elliot In The Morning, Backstrom gave an update on his contract negotiations and stated in the strongest terms possible he wants to retire in Washington
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are one of the best tandems in the NHL. And Friday against the New Jersey Devils, the longtime teammates will play their 900th career game together.
“I actually had no idea 900 was coming up. It’s pretty… it’s a long time,” a smiling Nicklas Backstrom said Thursday after Capitals practice.
By Ian Oland 1 month ago
