Alex Ovechkin will be the Washington Capitals’ lone representative in the NHL All-Star Game, the league announced Saturday night.
It’s the sixth selection to the game for Ovechkin, the Capitals’ top-line left wing, who is tied for fifth in the league with 21 goals and has 36 points this season.
More notable, however, is the absence of center Nicklas Backstrom, who was seeking his first selection to the game in his eighth season with the Capitals. Backstrom, tied for sixth in the league with 28 assists, also has 13 goals, and of the 16 players who have 40 or more points this season, he was one of only three not selected.
“Obviously, they are both great players,” coach Barry Trotz said of Ovechkin and Backstrom on Saturday night, when the Capitals defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1. “I was absolutely astonished when someone told me that Nick Backstrom has not ever been selected to an All-Star Game. It absolutely blows my mind away. He’s been our best player I think from start to finish, if I had to say; he’s been our top guy all year.
“I am absolutely astounded that no one ever talks about him as a Selke [Award candidate], no one ever talks about him as an all-star. I can’t understand it. He’s probably OK with it. You look at the numbers he’s put up with his draft class — you put him next to [Chicago Blackhawks center] Jonathan Towes — there’s not anything different. I wish we could get him on there. He deserves to be on there.”
When asked about the snub on Sunday, Backstrom demurred, playing down his interest in participating in the weekend’s events in favor of a three-day break with his family.
“I don’t really think about it too much, to be honest with you,” Backstrom told reporters at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “It is what it is. Is it an honor to represent your team? Yes, but I also know there’s a lot of good hockey players in this league, and it’s usually one player per team, so that’s understandable. I mean, I’m not disappointed or anything. I get a couple days to heal and get maybe some sun.”
Ovechkin, who did not play in the game in 2012 as he served a suspension that bridged the event, is tied for second in the league with nine power-play goals. and is tied for fifth with four game-winning goals. He leads the league with 196 shots and is seventh among all forwards with 20 minutes, 23 seconds of ice time a game.
The game, to be played Jan. 25 in Columbus, will again feature the fantasy draft style first debuted in 2011. Nashville’s Peter Laviolette and Los Angeles’ Darryl Sutter will serve as the coaches.
• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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