Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and two assists in his season debut to lead the host Washington Capitals to a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Backstrom, who led the NHL with 60 assists last season, missed the team’s first three games while recovering from arthroscopic hip surgery in late May. The center scored in the third period and assisted on power-play goals from T.J. Oshie (one goal, one assist) and John Carlson.
“I was coming into this game with an attitude to win,” Backstrom said.