The Washington Capitals honored Nicklas Backstrom and his 700 career assists with a tribute video posted at the first television timeout during Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
Backstrom recorded his 700th assist Friday night against the Bruins in Boston. The assist came in the third period on Jakub Vrana’s goal.
V gets his 3rd goal in as many games and Backy notches his 700th apple! pic.twitter.com/f90zEvXzn3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 6, 2021
With the assist on Vrana’s goal, Backstrom has become the 23rd fastest player in NHL history to reach the 700-assist mark in his 979th career game.
Backstrom is the first player in franchise history and the 54th player in NHL history to reach the 700-assist milestone. He is the second fastest active player (Sidney Crosby: 856 GP) and the 23rd-fastest player in NHL history to reach the mark in his 979th career game.
The Capitals selected Backstrom with the fourth pick overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, He recorded his first assist on a goal scored by fellow Swede, Michael Nylander, in the team’s 2007-08 season opener on October 7, 2007 against the Atlanta Thrashers, a game the Caps won 3-1.
By Jon Sorensen
Follow @nova_caps
