Backstrom picked up a power-play assist in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

His 45th of the year helped Washington even things up early in the second period, but ultimately the Sharks prevailed. Even still, Backstrom is one of the premier playmakers in the NHL and is a must-start in all formats.

Backstrom scored a goal in Wednesday's 4-3 OT loss against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

His 18th goal of the season ended a 19-game streak without a goal for the talented playmaker who now has at least 18 goals and 60 points in three straight seasons. More of an impact in terms of assists and power-play points, the Swedish pivot is one of the best setup men in the business and is a must start every night.

Backstrom had an assist in Saturday's 2-1 OT win over Boston.

EDGE Analysis

The talented playmaker now has 44 helpers on the year, including seven in his last six games. Showing no ill-affects from offseason hip surgery, the former fourth overall pick from the 2006 NHL Draft should be an early selection in next season's fantasy drafts.

Backstrom dished out two helpers in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto. He now has points in four straight games.

EDGE Analysis

The pair of apples gives the Swedish playmaker an even 60 points in 60 games this season -- 43 of which have been assists. That makes him fifth in the NHL in assists and eighth in points, so it's been business as usual for Backstrom en route to what will inevitably amount to his seventh 65-plus-point season.

Backstrom was named to Team Sweden's preliminary World Cup roster Wednesday, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not a surprise as Backstrom has represented "tres kronor" in past tournaments and is one of the better playmakers in the NHL ranks. Riding a three-game point streak (four assists), the 28-year-old pivot has 17 goals and 58 points in 59 games this season, his fourth straight 40+ assist campaign.

Backstrom assisted on Matt Niskanen's game-winning goal in Tuesday's victory against the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

That's now a three-game point streak with four assists over that stretch. The talented center is up to 58 points for the season, with 26 of them coming on the man advantage. Backstrom is a talented playmaker and is a threat to put up points each night he's on the ice.

Backstrom dispensed two assists as the Capitals triumped 3-2 over the Wild on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

After a brief three-game absence from the scoresheet, the Swedish playmaker got one step closer to his eighth 40-plus assist season. Backstrom now has 17 goals and 39 assists through 59 games (a 78-point pace) and together with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov -- who have a combined 177 points and counting this year -- anchors the deadliest offense in all of hockey.

Backstrom tallied three assists -- all to Alex Ovechkin -- in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom was magical during the second period, staying on the same page as Ovechkin, as usual, and helping him record a hat trick. The 28-year-old is on pace for his best month of the season, totaling seven points in six games. The Swede is one of the top centers in the league and will continue to produce as the year rolls along.

Backstrom had an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom had been without a point over the weekend action, but picked up his 32nd assist of the season to give him 49 points in 49 games. He remains a must-start every night, particularly since his goal-scoring has picked up tremendously this year with 17 tallies thus far.

Backstrom handed out a pair of assists Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Isles, pushing his point streak to five games.

EDGE Analysis

It'd take quite the surge for Backstrom to hit the 60-assist mark, as he has the last two years, but 31 helpers to go with 17 goals in 48 games won't leave any fantasy owners complaining. As one of the most brilliant playmakers in the league and Alex Ovechkin's seemingly eternal partner on the Caps' top line, Backstrom's got nothing left to prove to fantasy owners. Just leave him in the lineup and let him do his work.