Why Carbery Reunited Ovechkin & Backstrom On Capitals Top Line & What They Had To Say About It: 'There's A Method To The Madness'

"We just have to play for each other and help each other out," Ovechkin said of reuniting with Backstrom at Capitals training camp.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — To open their 19th and 17th respective NHL training camps, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom felt almost like they'd travelled back in time, as Spencer Carbery put the two together on his top line to open Washington Capitals camp.

Both stars have been working together as things get underway here, with Anthony Mantha serving as their right winger. It's been a welcome move for the duo, who had taken the league by storm just a decade ago while skating side by side.

"Feels like back in the day," Backstrom said with a smile.

For Carbery, there was a lot of thought that went into putting the two together. The priority with that move is to give each of them a familiar face to work with as they adjust to the new systems and coaching going into 2023-24.

"There was a method to the madness," Carbery explained, adding, "They're seamless from a communication standpoint as we go through some new systems. But it was done for a purpose to kind of get them together early in camp."

Backstrom said that having Ovechkin back on his wing not only invokes some nostalgia but is a welcome move as the Capitals look to prove that they can remain contenders.

"Every time you get a chance to practice or play with Ovi, it's amazing," he said, adding, "He looks great and Ovi’s Ovi. He’s always gonna get it done, you know? That’s the kind of player he is and that’s who he is.”

Ovechkin also noted that he's not only happy to be back playing alongside Backstrom, but that he continues to see improvement from the Swede as he becomes further removed from hip resurfacing surgery. And, after both dealt with injuries and struggles last season, Ovechkin said that having No. 19 to lean on is a major asset.

"He's in good shape. I think he's ready for the year; we played together a long time, and I know his strengths and he knows my strengths," Ovechkin said. "We just have to play for each other and help each other out."