It looks as though the Capitals will have three players heading to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next month.
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom was named to the Swedish Olympic team on Tuesday morning, joining teammate John Carlson, who was named to Team USA on New Year’s Day. Alex Ovechkin was named to the Russian Olympic team later Tuesday.
Caps left wing/center Marcus Johansson was left off Sweden’s 25-man roster.
Backstrom, 26, will be making his second Olympic appearance. He played for Sweden at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, registering six points (one goal, five assists) in four games.
A native of Gavle, Sweden, Backstrom has represented his country in six major international events, participating in three World Championships (2007, 2008, 2012), two World Junior Championships [2006, 2007], and the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In 42 games with the Caps this season Backstrom leads all Swedish players in the NHL with 46 points [10 goals, 36 assists]. He ranks tied for seventh in the NHL in points (46), fourth in assists (36) and first in power-play points (25) and power-play assists (22).
Since Backstrom entered the NHL in 2007-08, only three players have collected more assists (Henrik Sedin, Joe Thornton and Martin St. Louis).
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