New York. Last night, fans in Washington were reminded of how great it was to have Nicklas Backstrom in the lineup.
He scored the decisive penalty as the Capitals beat longtime rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, at home at Capital One Arena.
– Scouts reported gaps in the goal ice sometimes, so I looked there and found one, he told Sportbladet after the 3-2 win.
It almost felt like a turnaround in the 2000s when the Capitals and the Penguins clashed in the old concrete dugout in the US capital’s Chinatown.
On the one hand, they still have a bit of their old rivalry – the fiercest rivalry in the league for a few years -, on the other hand, they’ve been stuck in a wild card spot in the Eastern Table and really need to calm down from rivals who are storming out.
There was a lot at stake – and the joy in the host camp when both points were saved was comparable to that seen after qualifying victories.
– Yes, it was a fun match with a lot of emotions and it was really nice that we could win. When we got to him next, there was a need for it, says Niklas Backstrom.
– As I said, many are chasing after us, and at the same time the distance is not far. So now it’s really about winning matches.
The 35-year-old star center – who made his season debut just a few weeks ago due to extensive hip surgery this summer – had a big part to play in the victory himself.
It was he who put the winning puck in the shootout that ended the night – and he did it with a powerful shot from close range.
– I’ve seen Kuznetsov put on one before and tried to do the same, continues Bakis.
– Scouts told us where there are sometimes gaps in the target ice, so I looked there and found one.
Earlier in the evening, the guest’s son also elegantly set up a goal signed by compatriot Marcus Johansson, who scored the 13th goal of the season.
Marcus has been great since last fall and I’m so glad I got to play with him tonight. We think about hockey the same way, and I really hope that we will continue to be together. Praises to Niklas.
Ricard Raquel also scored a penalty kick for Pittsburgh, but to no avail.