Reunited: Ovechkin, Backstrom together again on Capitals' top line
The game's best scorer was never going to be separated from hockey's top playmaker for too long.
In advance of Wednesday's game against Detroit, Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz has decided to reunite the dynamic duo of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, deploying them together at even strength for the first time this season.
Part of this is due to an injury that kept Backstrom sidelined early on this season, as well as the emergence of Evgeny Kuznetsov as a top option.
But No. 8 and No. 19 have a proven track record, and Trotz is eager to see them together again.
"They’ve had a lot of chemistry and they’ve had a lot of good play together," Trotz told reporters Wednesday. "It’ll be interesting to see because I haven’t used them together at all this season other than power play."
It may not be coincidental that the reunion comes amid a three-game scoreless streak for Ovechkin, who remains in search of the record-breaking goal that will make him the highest-scoring Russian-born player in NHL history.
"To be honest with you, I don’t think about (the record)," Backstrom said. "If it happens, it’s good for (Ovechkin). I’m happy for him. He scored two goals already and both coach’s challenge. I feel bad for him. At the same time, I know it’s going to come pretty soon."
T.J. Oshie will play on the right side to round out the line.