Backstrom scored his eighth goal of the season in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

It came on the power play. Backstrom is playing like a much younger man -- he's on a five-game scoring streak and has put up points in 13 of 15 games (eight goals, 12 assists). The extra time in the offseason may have been the perfect tonic for the 33-year-old. You must activate him whenever the Caps hit the ice. You can't miss out on any of this.

Backstrom scored a goal on his only shot and had two PIM in a 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom picked Evgeni Malkin's pocket in front of the Pittsburgh net and slipped a backhander through Tristan Jarry to pull the Capitals to within 4-3. The goal extended Backstrom's point streak to three games (two goals, three assists), although his fantasy managers might want to look away from his 2-for-14 performance on faceoffs (12.5 percent). The 33-year-old has been exceptionally consistent in 2020-21, landing on the scoresheet in all but two of his 13 contests, and leads the Caps in points (17), goals (six), assists (11) and power-play points (six).

Backstrom scored a goal and two assists in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

The Caps' top line of Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson got almost no help from the rest of the roster in this one, as Lars Eller's lone assist was the only point produced by a Washington player outside of that trio. Backstrom has been one of the few constants in the team's patchwork lineup through the early part of the season, recording five multi-point efforts against only two goose eggs through 12 games en route to six goals and 17 points.

Backstrom recorded an assist during Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The helper moves Backstrom into a tie for tenth on the league leaderboard with five goals and 14 points in 11 games. The Swedish playmaker is an automatic start.

Backtrom scored and added two assists in a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom is on a five-game, nine-point streak (three goals, six assists) and has 13 points, including five goals, in nine games so far. That puts him fifth in the NHL in scoring, ahead of Nathan MacKinnon and Anze Kopitar. Backstrom can't possibly keep up this torrid pace -- he last produced like this in the second and third years of his 14-season career. Milk this for all its worth and maybe even consider trading high.

Backstrom tallied two power-play assists and two shots during Thursday's 6-3 victory over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom has compiled two goals and six points over a four-game point streak. The 33-year-old has been a dependable producer during his career and his floor should remain fairly solid once Alex Ovechkin (COVID-19 protocols) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-19 protocols) return to action and draw some attention from opposing defenses.

Backstrom (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Thursday against the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom was forced out late in the third period of Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Islanders but should be good to go when the puck drops Thursday. With Lars Eller (upper body) not expected to play, the 33-year-old playmaker could even see a slight uptick in minutes, so make sure he's in your lineups.

Backstrom went to the locker room in the third period and did not return to Tuesday's game versus the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

After the game, head coach Peter Laviolette had no update on Backstrom's status. Lars Eller (upper body) also couldn't finish Tuesday's game. The Capitals' center depth is being tested with Evgeny Kuznetsov (COVID-19 protocols) out. It's unclear if Backstrom will be ready to go for Thursday's rematch with the Islanders.

Backstrom scored a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

He tied up the game at 3-3 with his fourth goal of the season midway through the third period, earning the Caps a point, but he wasn't able to save them again when he got denied by Linus Ullmark with the team's final shootout chance. Backstrom has seven points through six games, and he'll continue to be the focal point of the offense until Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov are cleared through the COVID-19 protocols and rejoin the lineup.

Backstrom scored a power-play goal on two shots in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

Backstrom tapped home an Evgeny Kuznetsov cross-crease feed to give Washington a 3-2 lead midway through the second period. It was Backstrom's first goal of the season and gave him three points through his first three games. Backstrom, 33, has consistently produced 70-plus points throughout his NHL career when he's played a full season, and he managed to supply 54 last year in only 61 games.