Skip to main content

Peter Laviolette: ‘It is not about me’ after first win as Caps head coach

By Kevin Brown

Peter Laviolette: 'It is not about me' after first win as Caps coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

New Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette may have felt good after his first win behind the Washington bench, but made sure to deflect postgame attention to the ones who executed his gameplan on the ice. 

When asked if the veteran head coach ever gets tired of winning, Laviolette made sure to praise his veteran stars. 

“I think reverse the question a little bit and you got guys who have been here a long time – and Alex Ovechkin or a Nick Backstrom has been here a long time and there were changes that were made this summer but like I said, it is a lot more than just me,” Laviolette told media postgame. “It is not about me. There is a lot more than just me that got changed over and turned over and a lot of new pieces in there and I think it is really important for our team.”

RELATED: New Caps coach Peter Laviolette channels ‘Cobra Kai’ fandom in postgame speech

Washington’s core has been intact for some time now, with players like Ovechkin (16th season), Backstrom (14th season), and John Carlson (12th season) still playing at the peak of their powers. Laviolette noted just how influential their veteran leadership can be moving forward. 

“Guys who have been here for a long time and new faces alike so winning is always fun. The first game can be fun for everybody,” Laviolette said. “You don’t have to be a new person. It’s the start of the season or the start of a new direction and I think guys can really enjoy that. You try to pull off them, build that momentum and build off of it.”

No matter how much Laviolette deflected the attention away from himself after a good start in the win column, it’s still important to note just how good it feels. 

“If you asked me I have enjoyed myself tonight, then I did.”

Nicklas Backstrom thinking about ‘little bit of everything’ entering 1,000th game

By Ethan Cadeaux
Backstrom thinking about 'everything' entering 1,000th game originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonCapitals star Nicklas Backstrom will take the ice on Thursday night for the 1,000th time in a Washington sweater, a feat only his longtime teammate Alex Ovechkin has accomplished in franchise history.Ahead of the Capitals matchup with the Sabers on Thursday (coverage begins at 6 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington), the team will show a tribute video pregame celebrating Backstrom on the jumbotron. Additionally, all of his Capitals teammates will wear No. 19 sweaters during warm-ups to honor the 33-year-old's remarkable accomplishment.With an emotional night ahead of Backstrom, the 33-year-old told The Sports Junkies on Thursday that there's a chance he might shed some tears ahead of puck drop."I'm more emotional as a guy now after having kids than I was when I was younger," Backstrom said. "I feel like there's a good chance, yes. I think they'll at least be some water in my eyes."From his early days as a Capital to winning the Stanley Cup, Backstrom said he will be thinking about "a little bit of everything" when watching the tribute video dedicated to him."Honestly, what's going through my mind is all the teammates you've played with," Backstrom said. "Everything is going to go through my mind I think and I'm sure that video is going to present that, too."While fans are still not permitted to attend home games at Capital One Arena until later this month, Backstrom is thankful that his family will be in the building to support him on his special night."I know we're in a pandemic here, but it's gonna be really important for me that my family is going to be there by my side," Backstrom said. "It kind of sucks that the fans aren't going to be there but at the same time, I know they are going to be watching."Although Backstrom is hitting the 1,000-game mark, the forward is still only 33 years old and has plenty of hockey in front of him. Washington has No. 19 under contract through the 2024-25 season, too, after the two sides agreed to an extension last year, one Backstrom negotiated himself.Asked if he envisions himself playing into his mid-40s, the way his new teammate Zdeno Chara has, Backstrom said "it's impossible to answer that." But, Backstrom also has no plans of hanging up the skates anytime soon, either."I'm going to do everything in my power to play as long as I can," Backstrom said. "I love this game and I want to be part of this for many more years."For more interviews, tune into the Sports Junkies on NBC Sports Washington, weekdays from 6-10 a.m.
Read Next Story

Related News

Nicklas Backstrom thinking about ‘little bit of everything’ entering 1,000th game

Capitals acquire Anthony Mantha at NHL Trade Deadline for Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik

How a Brenden Dillon fight sparked the Caps to a big win in Boston