19 Nicklas Backstrom C

Backstrom dished out two assists in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canadiens.

Backstrom set up Alex Ovechkin to open the game's scoring in the first period and snagged another assist on Tom Wilson's late game-tying tally. The 32-year-old center is up to 36 assists and 47 points in 52 games this season. He's scored 29 points in as many games since returning from an upper-body injury in early December.

Backstrom scored a power-play goal on two shots in a 3-2 win over Colorado on Thursday.

The Capitals were trailing 2-0 when Backstrom converted a backdoor feed with the man advantage at 11:37 of the second period. It was the first goal in seven games for Backstrom, who extended his point streak to four games despite the goal-scoring dry spell. The 32-year-old has 11 goals and 45 points in 49 games but owns his lowest shooting percentage (9.3) since 2013-14.

Backstrom recorded two assists and two shots with a minus-3 rating in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Islanders.

Backstrom set up goals by John Carlson and T.J. Oshie in the first and third periods, respectively, giving him a modest three-game point streak (all assists). Backstrom has just one goal in his last 11 games, but he does have nine helpers in that time. The 32-year-old has 10 goals and 44 points in 48 games on the season, right in line with a typical Backstrom season.

Backstrom tallied an empty-net goal and three shots during Monday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

Backstrom has been scorching since returning from an upper-body injury Dec. 9 with six goals and 21 points in his last 19 games. With Alex Ovechkin's suspension now over, the table is set for the 32-year-old Swede to continue racking up the points, so keep him rolling.

Backstrom dished out two helpers -- one on the power play -- in Thursday's 5-2 win over New Jersey.

Backstrom assisted on a pair of first-period goals by Alex Ovechkin, who eventually completed the hat trick without Backstrom's help in the third. The Swedish center continues to be an effective setup man, having dished out 28 assists to go with nine goals in 40 games this season. Washington certainly believes the 32-year-old Backstrom will be able to age gracefully considering the team just handed him a five-year extension.

Backstrom signed a five-year, $46 million contract extension with the Capitals on Tuesday,

With Backstrom's 10-year, $67 million contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Capitals have elected to keep their franchise assist leader in the fold through his age-37 campaign in 2024-25. Even as he heads into the back nine of his career, Backstrom has remained a highly productive running mate for star wing Alex Ovechkin, notching at least 50 helpers in each of the past six seasons. The extension likely ensures that the Swedish center will remain with Washington for the remainder of his storied career.

Backstrom scored a goal on four shots but went minus-2 in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Flyers.

After six straight games with a helper, Backstrom mixed things up with his ninth tally of the season. Obviously, the Swede is near the top of his game lately. He's managed 34 points (11 on the power play) and 82 shots on goal in 37 contests.

Backstrom recorded a power-play assist in Friday's 4-3 win over the Hurricanes.

Backstrom had the secondary helper on Evgeny Kuznetsov's second-period goal. The Swede's assist streak is now at four games -- three of those helpers have come on the power play. Backstrom has 31 points and 78 shots on goal through 34 contests this year. He's steady as ever, making the 32-year-old a reliable option in fantasy.

Backstrom registered a power-play assist and three shots during Friday's 2-1 overtime win against the Blue Jackets.

Backstrom set up T.J. Oshie for the game-winner to give him four goals and six assists in his last eight games since returning from an upper-body injury. It's safe to say any rust to the 32-year-old's game has been thoroughly shaken off, so keep him in your lineups the rest of the way.

Backstrom scored two goals and two assists in Friday's 6-3 win over the Devils.

The 32-year-old added three shots, a blocked shot and a plus-3 rating to his ledger. Backstrom got held off the scoresheet Monday when the Caps were shut out in Columbus, ending his six-game point streak, but he bounced back with a vengeance in this one. On the year, Backstrom has eight goals and 27 points through 28 games, and his chemistry with Alex Ovechkin remains as strong as ever.

Backstrom scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Lightning.

Backstrom missed time to injury and returned three games ago, and he's simply picked up from where he left off prior to his absence. And that's scoring -- he's in the midst of a six-game, eight-point scoring streak (two goals, six assists). Backstrom sits with 23 points in 26 games this season, which is remarkably consistent with his annual production. This guy just never slows down. Make sure he's back in your lineup.

Backstrom scored a goal and an assist in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.

The 32-year-old had missed the prior eight games with an upper-body injury, but Backstrom showed no rust in his return and his chemistry with Alex Ovechkin was as strong as ever, as the duo assisted on each other's tallies. Backstrom actually has a four-game point streak going dating back to Nov. 15, and on the year he has five goals and 20 points in 24 contests.

Backstrom (upper body) is expected to play in Monday's game against the Blue Jackets, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

Backstrom has missed the past eight games with the upper-body issue, and he was a full participant for Sunday's practice session. The 28-year-old has been solid this season despite injury, racking up four goals and 18 points in 23 games. Now healthy, the Swede is expected to center the top line for Monday's game between Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson.

Backstrom (upper body) is set to miss Friday's matchup with Anaheim, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will be sidelined for an eighth consecutive contest due to his upper-body issue. In 23 games, the 31-year-old has notched four goals, 14 helpers and 54 shots while averaging 19:41 of ice time. Lars Eller will continue to slot into a top-six role while Backstrom's sidelined.

Backstrom (upper body) is ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Kings, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

Backstrom will miss his seventh straight game, and Lars Eller is expected to center the second line again. Considering Backstrom was a game-time decision for this contest, it appears he has a good shot to play Friday against the Ducks.

Backstrom (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's game against the Kings, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

Backstrom has missed six games with the injury. If he's able to play against the Kings, Travis Boyd or Nic Dowd could end up as a healthy scratch. Backstrom participated in practice Monday, which indicates he's close to returning. The Capitals won't have a morning skate Wednesday, so the Swede's status will be up in the air until coach Todd Reirden meets with the media.

Backstrom (upper body) won't play Tuesday against the Sharks, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will miss a sixth straight contest, but he returned to practice as a full participant Monday, so he's definitely on the verge of rejoining the lineup. The 32-year-old pivot could return as soon as Wednesday against L.A.

Backstrom (upper body) is not likely to play Tuesday against the Sharks, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

Backstrom has practiced fully in recent days, but the Capitals are going to give him a little more time to get right before returning, which could be as early as Wednesday against the Kings. Lars Eller will continue to man the second-line center spot between Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie in the interim.

Backstrom (upper body) practiced in a full contact jersey Monday, Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site reports.

Backstrom's full practice Monday bodes well for his chances of returning Tuesday in San Jose, but confirmation of his status should arrive prior to puck drop. The Swede's owners will want to get Backstrom in the lineup as soon as he returns, as he's recorded a respectable 18 points through 23 games played.

Backstrom (upper body) won't play in Saturday's game against the Red Wings, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom was considered a longshot since he didn't play in Friday's win over the Lightning, as the team wants to test how he responds to contact in practice first. The Swedish center's next chance to play will be Tuesday against the Sharks, so he'll have ample opportunity to prove his health before then.