Nicklas Backstrom admitted to being nervous before return

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom made his season debut in Sunday’s win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Backstrom missed the first 42 games of the season following off-season hip surgery.

Backstrom admitted to being nervous more than usual, leading to his story about interacting with his six-year-old son, Vince, Sunday morning before the game.

Backstrom said Vince woke him up by poking him in the back, per Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. Vince asked Backstrom if he was playing Sunday. Backstrom replied yes before Vince asked him if he was nervous.

“I’m like, ‘Yeah buddy I’m nervous, and he goes, ‘Oh ok,” Backstrom said.

Backstrom opted for the surgery after years of chronic pain. He remained optimistic he would resume his playing career.

Sunday, he skated 14 minutes on ice and took one shot in the Capitals’ 1-0 win.

“I get a little nervous every game, but this was obviously something different,” Backstrom continued. “I haven’t been this nervous before a game. I’ll be honest about that.”

The franchise’s all-time leader in assists rejoins the Capitals in the midst of a hot streak. Washington is 13-2-2 over their last 17 games and climbed back into the playoff race.

The Capitals also saw the return of Tom Wilson from a torn ACL Sunday night. Washington is peaking at the right time. As he gets more skate time, hopefully, Backstrom’s nervousness will subdue.