The NHL announced that Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has been named the NHL’s First Star of the Week for the week ending Jan. 15.
Backstrom, 29, led the NHL in assists (seven) and points (10) in just four games. Backstrom recorded multiple points in each of the four contests, all of which were Captials’ wins.
This season, Backstrom is fourth in the NHL in assists (30) and 10th in total points (42). Since entering the NHL in 2007, Backstrom’s 507 assists are the third-highest total, trailing only San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton (539) and Vancouver Canucks forward Henrik Sedin (537).