Earlier this month, Nicklas Backstrom registered a point in an overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers, assisting on a goal by T.J. Oshie. While not only helping to tie the game late in the third period, the point was career point 1,000 for Backstrom, making him just the 40th player in NHL history to reach such a mark with one franchise.
On Friday night, the Capitals commemorated Backstrom's achievement with a celebration, including a pregame ceremony in which Backstrom was honored with a Tiffany's crystal from the NHL and a golden stick from the organization. Fans were greeted by a giveaway of squishy foam N1KY 1,000 points apples on their way into the arena.
In the third period, with the Capitals tied 2-2 with the New Jersey Devils, Backstrom wristed home the go-ahead goal to an eruption from the Washington faithful.
Soon after Backstrom's goal, foam apples began to rain down on the ice, delaying the game for a few moments.
ON BACKSTROM’S BIG NIGHT, HE GIVES THE CAPS THE LEAD!!
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 27, 2022
LET THE APPLES RAIN DOWN pic.twitter.com/9KUxa3bysH
Backstrom's early third-period tally gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead, though the goal was the game-winner in a 4-3 Capitals victory. The Capitals are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, winning seven of their last 10 games, going 7-2-1 over that stretch.
Washington currently sits in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division (37-20-10), behind only the New York Rangers (41-19-5), Pittsburgh Penguins (39-17-10) and the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes (43-15-7).
Backstrom's milestone made him just the second Capital to achieve such a feat, joining the future Hall of Famer Alexander Ovechkin. Since 2007, only Evgeni Malkin (1,043), Patrick Kane (1,152), Sidney Crosby (1,159) and Ovechkin (1,192) have more points than Backstrom.
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