(Caps Outsider)
Caps center Nicklas Backstrom celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday, tallying one assist in the 3-1 victory against Detroit.
Backstrom has played seven NHL games on his birthday, scoring two goals and four assists in those games. More importantly, that Caps are 5-0-2 in those games.
“It’s terrible,” Backstrom joked about turning 31. “Nah, it’s great. I got a little cake this morning, so I’m happy.”
His best birthday game came in 2007 against the Flyers – his rookie season – when he scored the overtime game winner. It was Bruce Boudreau’s first game as coach, and the day the Caps turned around their losing ways. “What a memory,” Backstrom said. “It goes fast. We used to talk about it sometimes. Time flies. We’re just enjoying ourselves, playing good hockey, and on to the next game.”
According to Isabelle Khurshudyan, Backstrom celebrated his 30th birthday over the summer in Sweden, which was when he was filmed singing karaoke.
Backstrom’s teammates didn’t get him anything today, but he said he gave them something: “Money on the board.”
- 2018, vs. Detroit. One assist in a 3-1 win.
- 2016, vs. St. Louis. One an assist in a 4-3 win.
- 2015, vs. Edmonton. No points in a 1-0 win.
- 3013, at Toronto. No points in a 1-2 SO loss.
- 2011, vs. Winnipeg. One goal in a 4-3 OT win.
- 2009, at Ottawa. No points in a 3-4 OT loss.
- 2007, at Philadelphia. One goal – the winner – and two assists in a 4-3 OT win.
