19 Nicklas Backstrom C

Backstrom scored a goal on five shots and added an assist in Thursday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Backstrom opened the scoring 11:20 into the game, re-directing a perfect Nick Jensen feed in the slot. He also drew an assist on Lars Eller's empty-net goal that rounded out the scoring in the final frame. The 33-year-old is enjoying another standout campaign offensively, leading the Capitals in points (24), goals (nine) and assists (15). He's also shooting a blistering 22.0 percent, well above his previous career high of 15.5 set in 2015-16.

Backstrom notched two power-play assists in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Devils.

One game after seeing his five-game point streak snapped, the 33-year-old center got right back to work, setting up T.J. Oshie and Alex Ovechkin for tallies with the man advantage. Backstrom is averaging better than a point a game for the first time since 2016-17, piling up eight goals and 22 points through 17 contests to begin the season.

Backstrom scored his eighth goal of the season in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Sabres.

It came on the power play. Backstrom is playing like a much younger man -- he's on a five-game scoring streak and has put up points in 13 of 15 games (eight goals, 12 assists). The extra time in the offseason may have been the perfect tonic for the 33-year-old.

Backstrom scored a goal on his only shot and had two PIM in a 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Backstrom picked Evgeni Malkin's pocket in front of the Pittsburgh net and slipped a backhander through Tristan Jarry to pull the Capitals to within 4-3. The goal extended Backstrom's point streak to three games (two goals, three assists), although his fantasy managers might want to look away from his 2-for-14 performance on faceoffs (12.5 percent). The 33-year-old has been exceptionally consistent in 2020-21, landing on the scoresheet in all but two of his 13 contests, and leads the Caps in points (17), goals (six), assists (11) and power-play points (six).

Backstrom scored a goal and two assists in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Flyers.

The Caps' top line of Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson got almost no help from the rest of the roster in this one, as Lars Eller's assist was the only point produced by a Washington player outside of that trio. Backstrom has been one of the few constants in the team's patchwork lineup through the early part of the season, recording five multi-point efforts against only two goose eggs through 12 games en route to six goals and 17 points.

Backstrom recorded an assist during Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers.

The helper moves Backstrom into a tie for tenth on the league leaderboard with five goals and 14 points in 11 games. The Swedish playmaker is an automatic start.

Backtrom scored a goal and added two assists in a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins on Saturday.

Backstrom is on a five-game, nine-point streak (three goals, six assists) and has 13 points, including five goals, in nine games so far. That puts him fifth in the NHL in scoring, ahead of Nathan MacKinnon and Anze Kopitar. Backstrom can't possibly keep up this torrid pace -- he last produced like this in the second and third years of his 14-season career. Milk this for all it's worth and maybe even consider trading high.

Backstrom tallied two power-play assists and two shots during Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Islanders.

Backstrom has compiled two goals and six points over a four-game point streak. The 33-year-old has been a dependable producer during his career and his floor should remain fairly solid once Alex Ovechkin (COVID-19 protocols) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-19 protocols) return to action and draw some attention from opposing defenses.

Backstrom (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Thursday against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom was forced out late in the third period of Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Islanders but should be good to go when the puck drops Thursday. With Lars Eller (upper body) not expected to play, the 33-year-old playmaker could even see a slight uptick in minutes, so make sure he's in your lineups.

Backstrom went to the locker room in the third period and did not return to Tuesday's game versus the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

After the game, head coach Peter Laviolette had no update on Backstrom's status. Lars Eller (upper body) also couldn't finish Tuesday's game. The Capitals' center depth is being tested with Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-19 protocols) out. It's unclear if Backstrom will be ready to go for Thursday's rematch with the Islanders.

Backstrom scored a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Sabres.

He tied up the game at 3-3 with his fourth goal of the season midway through the third period, earning the Caps a point, but he wasn't able to save them again when he got denied by Linus Ullmark with the team's final shootout chance. Backstrom has seven points through six games, and he'll continue to be the focal point of the offense until Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov are cleared through the COVID-19 protocols and rejoin the lineup.

Backstrom scored a power-play goal on two shots in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins.

Backstrom tapped home an Evgeny Kuznetsov cross-crease feed to give Washington a 3-2 lead midway through the second period. It was Backstrom's first goal of the season and gave him three points through his first three games. Backstrom, 33, has consistently produced 70-plus points throughout his NHL career when he's played a full season, and he managed to supply 54 last year in only 61 games.

Backstrom tallied a goal, an assist and three shots during Thursday's 6-4 win over the Sabres.

Backstrom netted the opening goal for the Capitals to begin a solid start to the season. One of the most reliable playmakers in the league, the 33-year-old Swede needs only to improve his goal-scoring acumen to ascend into the upper tier of fantasy centers, and managers can only hope Thursday's effort was a sign of things to come.

Backstrom (concussion) had three shots and was minus-2 in Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Islanders in Game 5.

Backstrom was back in the lineup for the first time since Game 1 but was largely ineffective in his 16:42 of ice time. In his defense, the entire Washington offense was silenced in the series clincher. The 32-year-old Backstrom had but a single assist in his five postseason games, with that lone point coming way back in the round-robin opener. He will enter the 2020-21 season needing just 73 points to reach 1,000 for his career.

Backstrom (concussion) will return to the lineup for Thursday's Game 5 matchup against the Islanders.

Backstrom was considered a game-time call for the pivotal matchup, but as evidenced by this news, the Swede will return to the lineup for the first time since Game 1. Now healthy, look for Backstrom to assume his usual second-line role while mixing in on the top power-play unit. He hasn't quite clicked in the bubble since the NHL restarted its season, however, garnering just one assist across 16:37 of average ice time. Considering his entrance back into the lineup, Brian Pinho will come out of the lineup and push Lars Eller into a third-line role.

Backstrom (concussion) will be a game-time call for Thursday's Game 5 against the Islanders, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Backstrom has skated with the Capitals' extras for three consecutive days, so if he's able to join the main group for Thursday's morning skate, he'll have a great shot at returning to action for a must-win Game 5. The 32-year-old pivot has picked up one helper in four games thus far this postseason.

Backstrom (concussion) isn't on the ice for warmups and won't be a part of the lineup for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom will miss his third consecutive contest while dealing with the concussion. He took part in Monday's practice, but he still appears to be in the league's concussion protocol. This is a tough break for the team and the Swede, especially considering Washington is on the brink of elimination Tuesday. With Backstrom sidelined again, expect Lars Eller to continue to handle second-line center duties.

Backstrom (concussion) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom has missed Washington's last two games while in the NHL's concussion protocol, but he skated Monday, and he was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate, which suggests he'll have a real shot at returning to action in Game 4. That'd be a fantastic development for the Capitals, who are on the brink of elimination after dropping the first three games of the series to the Isles. Confirmation on Backstrom's status won't surface until pregame warmups, so fantasy players hoping to deploy him in daily lineups should plan accordingly.

Backstrom (concussion) was cleared to begin skating Monday, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

Backstrom was on the ice with the Capitals' Black Aces as the main roster was given the day off. If the center can be cleared for contact at Tuesday's game-day skate, there is a chance he could be available against the Islanders for Game 4. If he can't give it a go, Lars Eller figures to hold down the second-line center spot.

Backstrom (concussion) won't play in Sunday's Game 3 versus the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Backstrom was able to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, Saturday, but he'll need more time before re-entering the lineup. The Capitals are in a tough position down 2-0 in the series, so Backstrom would be a major boost if he can return for Game 4. For the time being, Lars Eller will continue to center the second line.