Backstrom assisted on power-play goals by Alex Ovechkin and Mikhail Grabovski in the season opener Tuesday, but also went minus-2 in a 6-4 loss to the Blackhawks.

about 10 hours ago | Data Provided By

Greenberg: Value bets in the NHL

ESPN Insider Neil Greenberg examines value bets for the 2013-14 NHL season, including Cup picks, over/unders and trophy winners.

Fantasy Hockey Forecaster: Week 1

Sean Allen previews Week 1's fantasy hockey action, and has tips on how to manage your team for the first week of the season.

HP: Top playmakers for 2013-14

Robert Vollman of Hockey Prospectus projects the NHL's top playmakers for the 2013-14 season. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Philadelphia's Claude Giroux top the list.

Pronman: Top 100 NHL prospects

Corey Pronman identifies his Top 100 NHL prospects for 2013-14, including Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones.

Caps re-sign Johansson to 2-year, $4M deal

The Washington Capitals have re-signed restricted free-agent center Marcus Johansson to a two-year, $4 million contract.

Ovechkin, Caps have it going on again

Almost exactly two months ago, Feb. 7, the Washington Capitals looked like a team that had hit rock bottom, looked for all the world like a team without a clue and really, if anyone was being honest, like a team without a prayer.

Semin's return stirs up emotions for Capitals

Old friends Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin planned to get together for dinner Monday night, ahead of the Washington Capitals' big game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Greenberg: Top 10 rebound candidates

Neil Greenberg outlines 10 NHL players who, despite suffering early-season performance drops, likely will turn around their play over the rest of the season. Toronto's Phil Kessel and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin are among the players ready to rebound.

Oates has faith but Caps still need wins

PITTSBURGH -- Kudos to rookie head coach Adam Oates for holding fast to the silver lining of an otherwise messy season.While the hockey world marvels at the depths to which the Washington Capitals have sunk and the continuing devolution of once-upon-a-time superstar Alex Ovechkin, Oates insists that he sees progress.

Morning Links: Day 34 of lockout

Gary Bettman strongly hinted that the league is close to cancelling the Winter Classic. “Under these circumstances and uncertainty, we’re not going to commit millions of dollars if we don’t think we’re playing,” Bettman said.