Photo: Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images
Just one game after playing in his 1,000th game with teammate Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Center Nicklas Backstrom became just the second player in franchise history to reach 1,000 career points.
Backstrom’s milestone point came on an assist on a power play goal scored by T.J Oshie at the 6:13 mark of the third period that tied the score at 2-2.
An Osh and Nicky beauty 🤌 pic.twitter.com/vAVUIoK9LA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2022
Backstrom scored a goal earlier in the game for his 999th point.
Backstrom is the second player in franchise history to reach the 1,000-point mark, doing so in his 1,037th career game. pic.twitter.com/LSHaebyeLG
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 10, 2022
The team’s all-time Assists leader also becomes the sixth Swedish-born player to reach this milestone, joining Mats Sundin (1,349), Daniel Alfredsson (1,157), Nicklas Lidström (1,142), Henrik Sedin (1,070), and Daniel Sedin (1041); additionally, he is the 10th active player to record 1,000 points.
Drafted by the Capitals with the fourth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Backstrom made his NHL debut during the 2007-08 season after remaining in Sweden for his first post-draft season. With his 1,000th point (all in 15 seasons in Washington), the 34-year old becomes the first player drafted in 2006 to reach the milestone.
Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2) recorded his 1,000th career point (263-737—1,000 in 1,037 GP) and became the first player from the 2006 #NHLDraft class to reach the mark.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Thujee4krf pic.twitter.com/uDL9jcm2rS
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 10, 2022
Despite missing the start of the season as a result of a hip injury, Backstrom has now recorded four goals and 15 assists in 26 Games Played.
Simply. Incredible.
Here’s to you, N1Ky 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/gsh6V4BEQx
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 10, 2022
In 1,037 Games Played, Backstrom has recorded 263 Goals and 737 Assists.
Congratulations to Nicklas Backstrom (@backstrom19) on notching career point No. 1000! 👏
NHL Milestones Presented by @Gatorade. pic.twitter.com/eb68JyZ9bR
— NHL (@NHL) March 10, 2022
Backstrom is the is the 40th player in NHL history to record 1,000 points and the sixth Swedish player to reach the milestone. Backstrom ranks fourth among Swedish players in NHL history with 737 assists. His 0.96 points per game rate ranks second among Swedish players with at least 1,000 points, only behind Mats Sundin (1.00 P/GP).
A thousand words wouldn’t be enough to describe your importance to this team.
Here’s to you, #N1KY!#ALLCAPS | @backstrom19 pic.twitter.com/f3UeFLDgHF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2022
Since his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2007, Backstrom is the fifth player to record 1,000 points in that span, joining Ovechkin (1,192), Sidney Crosby (1,159), Patrick Kane (1,152) and Evgeni Malkin (1,043).
Grand crew pic.twitter.com/aPnP4F0cwU
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 10, 2022
By Diane Doyle
Thank you Gabby. You came in from Hershey and unleashed Batman and Robin.
The quietest 1,000 points in NHL history.
Here, here.