Backstrom Posts Essay, Video Tribute To Ovechkin For Passing Howe

Since arriving in D.C., Nicklas Backstrom has seen Alex Ovechkin hit milestone after milestone as both have helped change the direction of the Washington Capitals and cement a legacy together. And on Friday, Backstrom saw his longtime friend make history once again, as Ovechkin struck twice against the Winnipeg Jets to pass Gordie Howe for second on the NHL's all-time goals list.

Backstrom, who is still recovering from hip resurfacing surgery, was in the building to watch Ovechkin bury goals 801 and 802 and celebrated with him and the team postgame in the locker room, and on Saturday, he posted a video tribute to congratulate the Capitals captain, tweeting it out with the hashtags "802" and "goat" (greatest of all time).

The two have played over 1,000 games together, and Backstrom has assisted on 278 of Ovechkin's 800 goals (leads the team in that category). His 278 helpers are also the fourth-most assists on a single teammate's goal in NHL history.

Backstrom also wrote an essay for NHL.com to commemorate the moment and detail their journey together.

Ovechkin was the one to announce Backstrom as Washington's first-round selection in 2006. The two ultimately teamed up on a line in the coming years to power the Capitals to new heights, and they ultimately led the team to its first Stanley Cup in 2018. Ovechkin passed the Cup to Backstrom first.

Backstrom is working his way back to play and has been skating with the team at practices. He and Ovechkin were working on a line together this past week at practice, with with Tom Wilson on the other wing.