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.