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Capitals’ Johansson will play on line with Ovechkin, Backstrom

Toronto Maple Leafs v Washington Capitals

skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Verizon Center on December 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2.

Bruce Bennett

Saturday has turned out to be a pretty good day for Marcus Johansson.

Not only did the Washington Capitals announce they had re-signed the restricted free agent to a two-year, $4 million deal, but head coach Adam Oates confirmed Johansson will play on the top line with Nicklas Backstrom and some guys named Alex Ovechkin.

“He’s got a great opportunity to start with two great hockey players,” Oates told CSN Washington.

“It’s a good situation, where the coaches like him, the GM likes him and he’s got an opportunity in the next couple years to prove he can be a dominant player in this league and then you get rewarded if you succeed.”

Johansson, Backstrom and Ovechkin have previous experience playing together.

They were united in the latter half of last season and the results were as impressive as they were instant.

Johansson scored six goals and 22 points in 34 games, although 19 of those points came after March 16 with Ovechkin and Backstrom.

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