“He’s Superman… - Jason Chimera.
“He’s such a clutch player, he’s such a leader… - Tom Wilson.
“He makes our team click. He’s everything you want in a player and a teammate" - Braden Holtby.
If you told me at the beginning of the year that Nicklas Backstrom would be the leading NHL point scorer in the first round of the playoffs, I probably would have believed you. If you told me that he'd be leading the Caps in goals as well, I probably would have guffawed and told you to get your facts straight.
After going the final 23 games of the regular season without a goal, Nicklas Backstrom has now scored in three straight games, including the overtime winner in Game 4 on Tuesday to tie the series at two apiece.
The OT winner gives him 3 overtime goals in his career, moving ahead of Dino Ciccarelli and Joe Juneau for the franchise lead.
Backstrom has quietly risen the ranks to become the most underrated player in the NHL. He has amassed 500 points in his career and lead the league in assists this season. He has never won a regular season award or been selected to an All-Star game (not that the latter even matters at all).
"When you need him, he’s always there," Chimera said. "The performance he’s had in the playoffs is great."
More than great - it's sensational, and exactly what the Capitals needed from him.
Backstrom can do it all. He is one of the best face-off men in the league and one of the best penalty killers, helping the Capitals kill off all 10 Islander power plays this post-season.
He is also tied for fifth among active players in career playoff overtime goals behind Jaromir Jagr (4), Patrick Kane (4), Patrick Marleau (4) and Martin St. Louis (4). (Monumental Sports)
However, Backstrom has always played second to the franchises greatest offense player of all time, Alex Ovechkin. The two have been playing side-by-side since 2007-08 when Backstrom scored 69 points - 55 of those being assists - and they continue to be this generations version of 'Hull and Oates'.
With Ovechkin getting all the hype, and the brunt of the criticism, Backstrom quietly sits in the shadows and waits for his next shift.
"He doesn't need the spotlight, he doesn't want the spotlight," Chimera said. "All he cares about is us winning."
In his playoff career, Backstrom has 49 points in 61 games. He continues to be the rock on this Capitals team, and they'll need him going into tonights Game 5 in DC.
More to come...