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Congratulations Nicklas Backstrom, Caps All-Time Assist Leader

Nicklas Backstrom (Caps Outsider)

It didn’t take long into his career when Caps fans realized that they had their set-up man. With Alex Ovechkin already lighting the lamp, Washington still needed a first-line center to dish passes, and they got that player with the fourth overall pick of the 2006 draft.

With his 419th career assist on Sunday, Backstrom passed Michal Pivonka as the Caps’ all-time leader. He also did it in 260 fewer games, more than three full seasons. Plus, he had to overtake his own linemate, as Ovechkin himself came just one assist away from getting the record before Backstrom (of course, even if Ovechkin GOT the record, Backstrom would have passed him soon after.).

The closest player the Caps ever had in terms of passing ability was Adam Oates, who twice led the league in assists during his tenure in D.C. Both Backstrom and Oates have a similar assist-to-game ratio with the Caps at about .75.

Congratulations, Nicklas Backstrom. You’re a true pro and Caps fans are lucky to have you in Washington.

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Ben Sumner

Ben Sumner is the editor of Capitals Outsider. He also works for The Washington Post and contributes there when he gets a scoop.

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