"This pulls on the heartstrings" "I am not crying": NHL fans react as Alex Ovechkin & Nicklas Backstrom reunite ahead of Capitals practice

The Washington Capitals earned the first Stanley Cup in team history in 2018, thanks in large part to the contributions from future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin along with fellow longtime Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom.

Unfortunately, Backstrom has been limited to a total of 94 games in the last three seasons due to a series of hip injuries. After eight games played in 2023-24, he announced that he was stepping away from the game because his hip wasn't responding properly.

Meanwhile, Ovechkin continues to set NHL records and is quickly approaching Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record of 894. He and Backstrom were reunited during a recent on-ice session, as Ovechkin took passes from Backstrom and fired them into the net the way they did multiple times during their career together.

The fans loved what they saw as it rekindled some great memories for them.

"I'm not crying, you're crying," one fan wrote.

"Dang! This pulls on the heart strings…" another fan added.

"Enough to make a grown man cry!" one fan exclaimed.

"The Russian Machine Ovi’s back, sending those pucks flying into the net!" another user added.

"Backy and ovi 💪" one fan wrote.

Ovechkin continues his physical rehabilitation after suffering a fractured left fibula in mid-November.

Nicklas Backstrom hasn't played since 2023-24

Due to a series of hip injuries, Backstrom has been limited to less than 100 total games in the last three seasons. He made the decision after just eight games to step away from the game indefinitely last season.

“Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game. This is a difficult decision, but one that I feel is right for my health at this time.

"I want to thank my teammates, the organization, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this process. I ask for privacy at this time as I determine my next steps and viable options moving forward.”

Backstrom was drafted with the fourth overall selection by the Capitals in the 2006 NHL Draft. He made his debut during the 2007-08 season, appearing in all 82 games and helping the Capitals to their first postseason appearance since 2001.

He's appeared in a total of 1,105 career NHL games, scoring 271 goals with 762 assists, many of them on Ovechkin goals.

He's also scored 38 goals and 67 assists in 139 career postseason games. He contributed five goals and 18 assists in 20 games during Washington's run to the Stanley Cup in 2018.