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Boudreau after back-to-back wins as Capitals face Hurricanes

Nov 24, 2007 - 3:07 PM Carolina (13-7-3) at Washington (7-14-1) 7:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Nicklas Backstrom will hope to help his new coach again Saturday when the Washington Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes in a battle of Southeast Division foes.

Celebrating his 20th birthday, Backstrom saved the Capitals from a terrible collapse and helped interim coach Bruce Boudreau get off to a good start. Backstrom scored the game-winning goal in overtime Friday as the Capitals held off the Philadelphia Flyers for a 4-3 victory in Boudreau's NHL coaching debut.

After squandering a three-goal lead, Backstrom's goal at 1:55 of the extra session helped Washington snap a five-game skid. It was a thrilling finale for Boudreau, who was named interim coach Thursday after the team fired Glen Hanlon.

Hanlon was let go after coaching the Capitals to their worst 21-game start in franchise history.

For Backstrom, it was the best game of the rookie's career as he tallying a goal and two assists for his first multi-point game. He has two tallies, both game-winners, and 12 points this season.

The Hurricanes rallied from behind in their last contest, a 4-3 triumph over the Tampa Lightning on Friday. After Ray Whitney and Justin Williams each scored to tie the game in the third period, defenseman Glen Wesley recorded the game-winning goal.

It was Wesley's first point of the season and his first goal since February 22, when he also notched a game-winner.

Carolina, which has an NHL-best 78 goals this season, has six different players with 22 or more points. Captain Rod Brind'Amour has 11 tallies and a team-leading 27 points.