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Backstrom's Goal to Remember
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Hanlon confirmed yesterday that Backstrom has likely played his last game on the wing.
"Our plan was for him to get a handful of games -- we didn't put a number on it -- to get an understanding of our system and D-zone coverage," Hanlon said. "We wanted to break him in slowly. Realistically, I thought it might take a little bit longer. But his hockey sense is off the charts, obviously."
Hanlon added, "You're not going to see him play the wing again."
It's no coincidence, Backstrom said, that his best game came with him in the middle.
"When I'm playing center, I'm much more into it," said Backstrom, who was tied for fourth in rookie scoring with a goal and seven assists through Thursday's games. "It gets me in the game more."
Hanlon said he was pleased with the chemistry exhibited by the Fleischmann-Backstrom-Kozlov line and plans to keep it together for the foreseeable future. Against the Senators, Fleischmann netted his third goal and Kozlov enjoyed his best game as a Capital, notching a goal and two primary assists.
With his line set, and his first goal out of the way, Backstrom said he plans to focus on improving other areas of his game, such as faceoffs. Although he hasn't taken many draws, he has struggled, winning only 12 of 39 (30.8 percent.) "It's not strength," Backstrom said. "Faceoffs here are different. In Sweden, you just put your stick down. Here they are a big deal. You have to fight for the puck. I have to work hard. But like scoring goals, it is going to come for me."
Capitals Note: Wingers Chris Clark (lacerated left ear) and Alexander Semin (sprained right ankle) remain on injured reserve and are out for tonight's game against Tampa Bay.
