Nicklas Backstrom was without his stick, having thrown it away because it was broken, and he knew that the Washington Capitals couldn’t afford to be down another man.
Thus, when Nick Leddy took possession of the puck at the right point just over 11 minutes into the first period, Backstrom charged. The Capitals‘ top-line center, thrust into a greater role on the penalty kill with Eric Fehr out because of an injury, turned just as the New York Islanders defenseman cocked his stick, taking Leddy’s ensuing slap shot directly off his backside.