Nicklas Backstrom not concerned by hip four games after returning from surgery

Nicklas Backstrom has been in plenty of games against the Pittsburgh Penguins during his career, so he knows the one looming Wednesday, a nationally televised showcase, should be rather heated.

“Big rivalry,” said Backstrom, the Washington Capitals’ center. “Obviously, it’s going to be a great game. Two good teams going at it, so I mean, we’re excited, so I’m sure the fans are excited, too.”

Pittsburgh has won four of its last five games after starting the season with a three-game skid. The Capitals are hotter, winners of six of their first seven games and currently the owners of the highest-scoring offense in the league.

Part of that can be attributed to Backstrom, who made his return to the Capitals in a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 17. Washington has averaged five goals a game after Backstrom missed the first three games as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his right hip.

Backstrom made his presence known immediately upon his return, scoring a goal and assisting on two others in the game against the Hurricanes. He had two goals in the next game, a 6-3 road win over the Calgary Flames, was held scoreless against the Vancouver Canucks and had a power-play goal and an assist in the 7-4 victory at the Edmonton Oilers on Friday.

Entering Tuesday’s games, Backstrom was first in the league with 1.75 points per games played; all told, his seven points over four games have him tied for 38th in the league.

Stationed on the second line between left wing Marcus Johansson and right wing Justin Williams since his return, Backstrom said the way the team has played around him has allowed him to fit in seamlessly.

“That helps,” Backstrom said. “I mean, I think it’s very easy to play with those players that we play with. Justin is a great player, and Jojo as well, so those guys have made it easier for me when I came back.”

Lessoning the burden on Backstrom, too, has been the emergence of Evgeny Kuznetsov, who filled in as the top-line center and stayed there once Backstrom returned.

Kuznetsov had a hat trick and two assists in the victory over the Oilers and became the first player since Backstrom nearly two years ago to have a five-point game.

“He’s come out, and he has tons of confidence from last year,” coach Barry Trotz said, referring to Kuznetsov’s strong play in the postseason. “I think he’s comfortable with what we’re doing as a team, he’s comfortable with his linemates and he’s comfortable with the transition to the North American game.”

Kuznetsov gained familiarity with his linemates, left wing Alex Ovechkin and right wing T.J. Oshie, during the preseason, which Backstrom missed because of his recovery.

Backstrom’s only real trepidation surrounding his return was how he’d be able to manage any lingering pain, and the fury of facing the Penguins, then, will present the next challenge.

“Feeling pretty good,” Backstrom said. “I mean, the real first test was probably that back-to-back [against Vancouver and Edmonton], so nothing to worry about.”