Nicklas Backstrom entered the weekend with 699 assists and will leave New Jersey with 699 assists.
“I think it is the media that is really hexing me, hexing things this weekend,” said Backstrom during a post-game interview with the MSG Network. “They talked about Ovi getting the 700th here (last year) and thought it would be cool if I got the 700th assistance here too. It will arrive when it arrives. “
While Backstrom didn’t score an assist, he scored his tenth goal of the season, which leads all players in the Capitals.
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Backstrom scored on a 2:32 one-timer in the second period to give the Capitals a 2-1 advantage.
“It was a great pass by Tom on an empty net,” said Backstrom. “I’ll take this.”
But he still remains confused as to why one of the NHL’s biggest passers has become such a lethal finisher this season.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know what’s going on,” said Backstrom. “I’m just trying to play the system, play hard, you know. Try to help the team as much as you can. I was lucky. “
Backstrom has scored 10 goals in 21 games this season. Last year, he had 12 in 61 games.
Backstrom scored his 10th goal in his 21st game of the season, the fastest Backstrom in a season of his career.
– CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 28, 2021
After the game, Alex Ovechkin, who scored his 713th career goal in the game, was asked about his opinion of Backstrom’s explosion of goals.
Alex Ovechkin laughed when he called Nicklas Backstrom a “goal scoring machine” in his post-game interview.
– Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 28, 2021
“In the third period he hit the post (too),” said Ovechkin. “He is an unbelievable passer, but he is also a great sniper.”
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