Nicklas Backstrom is a cornerstone of the Washington Capitals, but he certainly didn't play like it in the 2011 NHL Playoffs. Backstrom had no goals and just two assists in nine playoff games, with just one assist in the four losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Afterwards, he didn't mince words with how he played.
↵↵↵↵↵"It's embarrassing. I wish I could tell you what was going on. I don't have any excuses."
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Backstrom was nursing a wrist injury at the end of the regular season, but he wasn't about to say that explained his poor play. Right off the bat, he said it was all on him.
↵↵↵I take full responsibility for not being that good. I wasn't as good as I should be. It feels like I'm working hard, just work hard every game, but it's just not there.
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Then, he uncorked a line that all Capitals fans are feeling right now.
↵↵↵It's so f**** frustrating.
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I hear him on this. Backstrom tried; he just came up short. Meanwhile, in his post-game press conference, Bruce Boudreau said he played hard and just couldn't convert. Maybe true. Either way, Backstrom is too important to play this poorly.
↵(Audio via Sky Kerstein. More on Backstrom from Ryan O'Halloran here).