The team record will undoubtedly be Backstrom’s for the long-haul. (Caps Outsider)
Alex Ovechkin is taking over most all-time Caps scoring records lately, but there’s one he has a chance to get but won’t keep for long: It’s the all-time assist record, held by Michal Pivonka, with 418.
Capitals Career Assist Leaders
| 1 | Michal Pivonka | 418 |
| 2 | Alex Ovechkin | 410 |
| 3 | Nicklas Backstrom | 405 |
Only nine assists away from the record, Ovechkin leads Nicklas Backstrom by five. The question here is, who will Pivonka call to congratulate for getting the record?
Based on each players’ assist pace this season, it will take Ovi about 25 games to earn nine more assists (he’s got 18 in 51 games this season). With 38 assists in 51 games, Backstrom is on pace for 14 more in the next 19 games. So, not only should Backstrom quickly pass Ovi for second place all time, he should reach the 419 mark well ahead of him.
Of course, Ovi certainly has the ability to go on point binges, racking up assists and goals. Contrarily, if Ovi starts slumping in the goals department, something he does sometimes, Backstrom’s assist totals will be impacted. Let’s just hope this record gets broken sooner rather than later.
The best part about this ‘race’ is that the two teammates are in it together, and will be helping each other get to that franchise mark.
