Nicklas Backstrom's late goal gives Washington Capitals win over the New York Islanders
Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom has a penchant for scoring clutch goals in key situations, much like the other members of Washington’s talented offence. He scored another late goal on Wednesday
night as the Capitals defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 on home ice.
Despite the Capitals picking up the win, it was the Islanders who drew first blood in this game. Swiss rookie Nino Niederreiter, the fifth overall draft pick at the 2010 NHL draft, opened the scoring at
3:14 of the first period. Isles’ captain Doug Weight and Michael Grabner assisted on the goal, which was the sole tally of the first period.
Alex Ovechkin continued his torrid offensive pace by scoring his fourth goal of the 2010-11 season at 18:19 of the second period. Backstrom supplied the Russian sniper with a great pass, and Ovechkin did
the rest by firing a powerful wrist shot that found its way behind Islanders goaltender Dwayne Roloson.
There was no further scoring until the Capitals went on the power play at 15:21 of the third period. After having the number one-ranked power play in the NHL last season, the Capitals have been struggling
on the man advantage ever since.
With Blake Comeau of the Islanders serving a two-minute roughing penalty, the Capitals power play experienced a brief revival. Ovechkin fired a shot at the Isles’ net, and Backstrom tipped it in for his
first goal of the season, giving the Caps a 2-1 lead. Backstrom’s tally held up as the game-winner, and rookie defenceman John Carlson had the other assist on the goal.
“I was just standing in front of the net there, and (Ovechkin) was shooting at my feet,” Backstrom said of his game-winning power play goal. “He hit my foot. It was kind of lucky he didn’t hit it too hard,
otherwise I probably couldn't walk tomorrow.”
Backstrom has not scored any points in the Capitals’ first few games of the season, but head coach Bruce Boudreau knew that his time would eventually come.
“It was just a matter of time,” said Boudreau. “With the people you put out there, hopefully they simplify it, and they got one at the right time.”
Michal Neuvirth was stellar in the Caps’ net, making 23 saves as Washington skated off with the victory. Roloson stopped 24 shots for the loss.
The Islanders’ next opponents will be the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, 15 October, while the Capitals will play the Nashville Predators on Saturday, 16 October.
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