Nicklas Backstrom played in his first game since the Capitals’ season ended in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After arriving in Germany early Sunday morning, Backstrom got his insurance papers certified and participated in Team Sweden’s morning skate. Hours later, Backstrom suited up in Sweden’s second-to-last preliminary round game against Denmark. Backstrom scored a goal and tallied an assist while skating on a line with William Nylander and Oscar Lindberg. Nylander had three points (two goals and an assist).

After the game, Backstrom was interviewed by Swedish television’s TV4. Ida Bjornstad, who is the girlfriend of Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, conducted the interview.

Video

You seem to like to play when you’re jet lagged!

Nicklas Backstrom: “Well yeah.. I didn’t have to think too much, just go out there and play. I knew I wouldn’t have the same energy as the other guys. I just grinded it out.”

From our point of view it looked really good, how did it feel?

Nicklas Backstrom: “Our line felt good, we moved the puck quickly and had some good movement. But we’re not happy with things as a team. We made some sloppy plays in the neutral zone and lost the puck and took too many penalties. We need to get rid of those.”

You said it felt good, what more can we get from you?

Nicklas Backstrom: “We have to work harder together. We haven’t had a full practice together yet. You can always get better as a player. Maybe go harder to the net. A couple of minor things like that. But it was fun to play with [Lindberg and Nylander].”

What can you say about William Nylander?

Nicklas Backstrom: “An amazing talent, so much fun to play with him. I knew him when he was 13 and I played with his dad. It’s really fun to play with [William].”

Translation by Magnus Cadelin.