17 – Number of points for Nicklas Backstrom through the first 12 games of the season, which leads the Caps and is tied for the fifth-most in the League so far. This is the fastest start to a season for Backstrom since 2011-12, when he recorded 18 points in the first 12 games.
Backstrom has scored six goals so far, a .50 goals/game pace which would be the best of his career over the course of a full season; ditto with his assists per game (0.92) and points per game (1.42).
Per Caps Today, Sunday’s three-point outing against the Flyers was his 82nd career game with at least three points, and his 156th multi-assist game, which is second only to Sidney Crosby (166) among active players since Backstrom’s rookie season in 2007.
He’s also just one goal shy of 250 for his career, and five assists back of 700.