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Nicklas Backstrom finally shoots — and he scores, too Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom is making his shots count
(about 5 hours later)
DALLAS — As Nicklas Backstrom spent his career cementing a reputation as one of the league’s elite passers, he struggled to find a balance between passing and shooting. DALLAS — As Nicklas Backstrom cemented his reputation as one of the league’s elite passers, he struggled to find a balance between setting up his teammates and shooting.
When Barry Trotz became the Washington Capitals coach before last season, he joined the chorus telling Backstrom to shoot and score more. When Barry Trotz became the Washington Capitals’ coach last season, he joined the chorus telling Backstrom to shoot — and score — more.
“I feel like I’ve heard that all my years here,” Backstrom said. “Obviously, that’s something I think about. Some games I shoot it more than others. It’s all about what kind of game it is, too, if you get those chances or not. I try that when I get a chance to shoot it, I’ll take the shot.”“I feel like I’ve heard that all my years here,” Backstrom said. “Obviously, that’s something I think about. Some games I shoot it more than others. It’s all about what kind of game it is, too, if you get those chances or not. I try that when I get a chance to shoot it, I’ll take the shot.”
Lost in another season filled with highlight-reel assists, Backstrom has stepped up his goal-scoring, part of the evolution of a team Trotz thought was too pass-happy when he arrived. With 17 goals and 35 assists in 50 games, Backstrom is one goal shy in each of the past two seasons. Backstrom is on pace to score his most goals since the 2009-10 season, when he hit his career high of 33 and the Capitals won the President’s Trophy. Lost in another season filled with highlight-reel assists, Backstrom is scoring more, even if he isn’t shooting more. With 17 goals and 35 assists in 50 games, Backstrom is one goal shy of his total from each of the past two seasons. Backstrom is on pace to score his most goals since the 2009-10 season, when he finished with a career high of 33 and the Capitals won the President’s Trophy.
Washington (40-9-4) has scored more as a team this season, leading the league with 3.30 goals for per game, up from 2.89 last season. Backstrom is taking about the same number of shots per game, but he has an 18.7 shooting percentage this season compared to 11.8 percent last season. Washington (40-9-4) has scored more as a team this season, leading the league with 3.30 goals for per game, up from 2.89 last season. Backstrom is taking about the same number of shots per game, but he is scoring on 18.7 percent of his shots this season compared with 11.8 percent last season.
“I think he’s just really, really exceptional at passing, and that’s why most people see that,” T.J. Oshie said. “But he gets himself into scoring areas. He’s got a couple big goals at key times for us, and he’s one of the leaders offensively and vocally on our team, so we look up to him.”“I think he’s just really, really exceptional at passing, and that’s why most people see that,” T.J. Oshie said. “But he gets himself into scoring areas. He’s got a couple big goals at key times for us, and he’s one of the leaders offensively and vocally on our team, so we look up to him.”
[Nicklas Backstrom surprised by all-star selection][Nicklas Backstrom surprised by all-star selection]
When he arrived, Trotz immediately identified Backstrom and Marcus Johansson as players who should have 20 goals every season. Imploring Johansson to be more selfish led to last season’s breakout of 20 goals and 27 assists. Backstrom led the league with 60 assists last season, but fell two goals short of Trotz’s goal. When he arrived, Trotz immediately identified Backstrom and Marcus Johansson as players who should have 20 goals every season. Imploring Johansson to be more selfish led to last season’s breakout of 20 goals and 27 assists. Backstrom led the league with 60 assists last season but fell two goals short of Trotz’s goal.
At his first all-star game late last month, Backstrom was asked what his ideal event in the skills competition would be. He wanted to do something involving passing, and he got his wish, shining in a drill that called for accurately launching pucks into miniature nets across the ice. Though he takes the most pride in that part of his game, there are still shifts he looks back on that he wishes he would’ve shot instead of dishing the puck to someone else. At his first All-Star Game late last month, Backstrom was asked what his ideal event in the skills competition would be. He wanted to do something involving passing, and he got his wish, shining in a drill that required him to launch pucks into miniature nets across the ice. Though he takes the most pride in that part of his game, there are still shifts on which he wishes he would have shot instead of dishing the puck.
“This is a shoot-first league,” Trotz said. “I think our mindset early last year was we were a pass-first team in a shoot-first league. It wasn’t a good recipe for us, so we’ve been trying to get them to shoot a little bit more, and they’ve been able to score a little bit more.” “This is a shoot-first league,” Trotz said. “I think our mind-set early last year was we were a pass-first team in a shoot-first league. It wasn’t a good recipe for us, so we’ve been trying to get them to shoot a little bit more, and they’ve been able to score a little bit more.”
Said Backstrom: “We wanted to be too cute sometimes instead of maybe grinding out — shoot, get traffic around the net and score goals that way. That’s the way it’s going to work in the playoffs, I think, and that’s something we’ve been doing a little differently this year. I feel like we’re shooting it more and trying to create more traffic in front of the net, so you get those chances.”Said Backstrom: “We wanted to be too cute sometimes instead of maybe grinding out — shoot, get traffic around the net and score goals that way. That’s the way it’s going to work in the playoffs, I think, and that’s something we’ve been doing a little differently this year. I feel like we’re shooting it more and trying to create more traffic in front of the net, so you get those chances.”
The addition of Oshie is likely partially responsible for Backstrom scoring more goals. The top line right wing position has been a revolving door in past seasons, but Oshie has played there every game this year. Nine different wingers played beside Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin last year, but stability has allowed the first line to develop chemistry. [Leonsis will replace hats tossed for Ovechkin’s hat trick]
The addition of Oshie likely is partially responsible for Backstrom’s increased scoring. The top line right wing position has been a revolving door in past seasons, but Oshie has played there every game this year. Nine wingers played beside Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin last year, but stability has allowed the first line to develop chemistry.
With his next goal, Backstrom will have 163 for his career, which would pass Kelly Miller for 12th on the franchise list. But Backstrom would be just fine if opponents forgot he can be a goal-scorer, too.With his next goal, Backstrom will have 163 for his career, which would pass Kelly Miller for 12th on the franchise list. But Backstrom would be just fine if opponents forgot he can be a goal-scorer, too.
“I hope the other team doesn’t think so,” Backstrom said. “I see myself as more of a passer, but the way the game is played, you’re going to have chances to shoot, too. The puck’s been going in this year, so hopefully we can keep it going.”“I hope the other team doesn’t think so,” Backstrom said. “I see myself as more of a passer, but the way the game is played, you’re going to have chances to shoot, too. The puck’s been going in this year, so hopefully we can keep it going.”
Note: Evgeny Kuznetsov, who left Thursday night’s game in the third period and did not return, passed his concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Stars Saturday night in Dallas. Note: Evgeny Kuznetsov, who left Thursday night’s game in the third period and did not return, passed his concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Stars on Saturday night in Dallas.