Nicklas Backstrom said he surprised himself. As he went to take the faceoff, the Capitals center put his stick on the ice — and immediately won the draw.
Backstrom wasn’t limited Thursday after missing the last four games with a right hand injury. He saw 18:51 of ice time, recording four shots on goal and winning six of his nine faceoffs.
“I thought he played a hell of a game,” coach Barry Trotz said.
But Backstrom’s return wasn’t enough as the Capitals suffered 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.