Nicklas Backstrom's return good for Washington Capitals -NHL Update
Nicklas Backstrom’s return on the Washington Capitals line-up had immediate effects as the team grabbed sole possession of the eighth number spot in the Eastern Conference after a 3-2 shootout win against Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
The 24-year-old centre player missed 40 games, nearly half of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, after being elbowed in the head by Calgary Flames’ Rene Bourque back in January.
Backstrom suffered a severe concussion which resulted in the long term exit from the game of hockey, but now, it is expected that as long as he can avoid further contact that would aggravate his situation, the Swedish superstar is set to perform.
"He's one of those guys that lightens the room up," Washington forward, Troy Brouwer, said. "He's very well-liked by everybody on the team and you always have a good time when you're with him, so whenever you get to see him back -- plus the smile on his
face, how he's been feeling and acting around the room the last couple days, knowing he was going to play tonight -- it's a big pick-up."
This season has definitely been extremely disappointing for a team who ended the last two years at the top of the Eastern Conference, but staying in the playoffs will definitely be much better than being ousted for good.
Picked as the fourth overall player during round-one of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Backstrom has proven his worth of the years for Washington, his original selection team.
In his fourth straight season with the club, Backstrom has still managed to stay fourth overall in the team rankings in terms of points with 42 (13 goals, 29 assists) despite missing nearly half of the hockey year.
Washington is still at the moment fighting for the position as Buffalo Sabres are right on their trail with 86 points, only two behind them. With just three games left to go on their season schedule, having Backstrom on the line-up will be extremely beneficial
in any situation.
It will certainly be exciting to see where Washington will end this season with Nicklas Backstrom back on the team and ready to perform.
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