Center Nicklas Backstrom was the first player to score for the Washington Capitals in their season opener against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Thursday evening. He is six goals shy of his 250th career goal.

Backstrom would give the Capitals a 1-0 lead 5:43 into the opening frame off a feed from captain Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin and forward T.J. Oshie had the assists.

Ovi –> Backy we love to see it 😍 pic.twitter.com/SqJgsbmchz

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2021

The first goal of the season makes him only six goals shy of his 250th career goal. Additionally, this is the first time in Backstrom’s career that he scored a goal in the season-opening game.

Nicklas Backstrom scores to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. He’s now six goals shy of his 250th career goal.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 15, 2021

With the primary assist on Backstrom’s goal, Ovechkin picked up his 19th point in 16 season-opening games.

Alex Ovechkin picked up an assist on Backstrom’s goal. That’s Ovechkin’s 19th point (11g, 8a) in 16 season opening games.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 15, 2021

By Della Young