For the first two months of the season the rookie of the year race in the NHL looked like an all-Chicago Blackhawks affair between teammates Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
But an outstanding month of December has Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom right back in the mix for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s top rookie.
On Thursday, Backstrom was named NHL rookie of the month for December after posting 14 points in 13 games. The honor helped take the sting out of Thursday night’s 2-0 loss at Boston, their first loss in regulation since Dec. 20 vs. Montreal.
“I didn’t even know there was a rookie of the month, but it’s exciting to win it and I’m happy for it,” said Backstrom, chosen fourth overall by the Caps in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. “The team played well this month and I play with great players so that helps me.”
The 20-year-old Backstrom is the first Cap to earn rookie of themonth honors since forward Alexander Ovechkin in January of 2006. Backstrom notched multiple points in a game five times in December and now has seven goals and 22 assists. In rookie scoring he trails only Kane (nine goals, 28 assists) and Toews (15 goals, 17 assists). Chicago announced Thursday that Toews will miss the next three to four weeks with a sprained left knee. Kane was the top overall pick in the 2007 draft. Toews was chosen one spot before Backstrom in the 2006 draft.
Backstrom and the Caps (16-20-5, 37 points) couldn’t solve Boston goalie Tim Thomas on Thursday night. Thomas stopped all 31 shots he faced and recorded his fifth career shutout. The Bruins received a goal from forward Marc Savard at the 13 minute, 35 second mark of the second period and finished the game off with a 5-on-3 power play goal from defenseman Zdano Chara with 10 minutes to go.
