Caps' Backstrom makes everyone look good

Based on his success supplying Alex Ovechkin with the puck, Nicklas Backstrom (19) can be expected to sign a large contract extension. (John Mcdonnell/the Washington Post)
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And what a start to the year it's been for Backstrom, who has shown improvement at both ends of the rink and has been more assertive in the dressing room as he's gained a stronger command of the English language.

He began the season skating between the team's two best wingers, Ovechkin and Semin. Together, the trio terrorized opposing defenses. On his own, Backstrom racked up two goals and eight assists in the first four games, and for a brief time, sat alone atop the league's scoring list.

Coach Bruce Boudreau, however, broke up the line before the San Jose game in an effort to add more balance to the Capitals' top two lines. The past two games, Backstrom has instead centered Brooks Laich and Semin on the second line. In both games -- wins over San Jose and Nashville -- Backstrom's line has been matched up against the other team's top offensive players, a move that shows Boudreau's confidence in Backstrom's ability to be responsible in his own end.

"It's not disappointing," Backstrom said of being dropped to the second line. "It's great to play with Ovie, of course. But right now I'm playing with two other great players and the team is winning."

'He's got a toughness'

His improved play in the defensive end has also gained the attention of Bengt Gustafsson, the former Capitals great and current coach of the Swedish national team.

"He's always had the offensive skill," Gustafsson said by phone from Sweden. "But now he's also developing some defensive skills, which is making him a complete player."

Gustafsson stopped short of naming Backstrom to Team Sweden -- rosters don't have to be submitted until December -- but it's not out of the question for Backstrom to be the first-line center on a team expected to contend for a gold medal.

"You don't always pick the best players; you pick the best team," Gustafsson said. "I really hope he stays healthy and he keeps playing the way he is, and if he does that, I'm confident he will be there, no doubt about it."

Staying healthy hasn't been an issue for Backstrom, who has yet to miss a single game.

"There's something that's ingrained in him," Boudreau said. "You don't think of it with Nick because he's a blond, blue-eyed, Swedish, good-looking young man. But he's got a toughness that belies all that, a toughness that coaches just love. He's not going to fight, but he's tough. I saw him last year where he could barely walk, but he was playing."

Another connection

Although he's second on the team in points and in ice time, Backstrom is first in highlight-reel passes. One does not need to wait long to be reminded of his best skill.

His most memorable how-did-he-do-that pass came in the Capitals' biggest win, a 4-1 decision over San Jose last week. With Washington enjoying a five-on-three power play, Backstrom threaded a cross-ice pass through Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and Laich right onto Semin's stick on the other side of the net.