{"id":83040,"date":"2025-08-14T20:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T20:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/83040\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T20:30:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T20:30:09","slug":"nicklas-backstroms-still-got-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/83040\/","title":{"rendered":"Nicklas Backstrom\u2019s still got it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nicklas Backstrom played in his first competitive game on Thursday since stepping away from hockey with the Washington Capitals on November 1, 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After a one year, nine month, and 13 day layoff, Backstrom suited up with Bryn\u00e4s IF in their first game of the 2025 SHL preseason, taking on Timr\u00e5 IK at Hudiksvall\u2019s Holmen Center. The Super Swede skated on the second line<\/a> with former NHL players Kieffer Bellows and Anton R\u00f6din.<\/p>\n

The Capitals\u2019 franchise leader in assists did not take long to get on the scoresheet, registering points on two of Bryn\u00e4s\u2019s first three goals of the game. <\/p>\n

Backstrom\u2019s first point, a secondary assist, came at five-on-five while carrying the puck at the top of the left circle. He sent a centering pass to the front of the net that was tipped by R\u00f6din. The puck found Bellows (number 81) camped out at the top of the crease. The veteran of 114 NHL games then backhanded the puck into the back of the net.<\/p>\n

Bellows\u2019 tally gave Bryn\u00e4s a 1-0 lead 3:43 into the first period. Fellow 2018 Stanley Cup champion, Michal Kempny, was on the ice for the goal.<\/p>\n

Backstrom then added a stunning primary assist during a Bryn\u00e4s power-play later in the period, sending a perfect cross-ice, sauce pass to Jakob Silfverberg for a one-timer from the left circle.<\/p>\n

The goal, which gave Bryn\u00e4s a 3-0 lead, garnered loud ooos and ahhhs from visiting fans in attendance.<\/p>\n

Bryn\u00e4s would go on to defeat Timr\u00e5 4-1, finishing the night with two points. <\/p>\n

The multi-point game for Backstrom, across leagues, was his first since March 23, 2023, when he recorded a goal and an assist against the Chicago Blackhawks.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The headline on Expressen, one of the leading sports sites in Sweden, was Succ\u00e9 f\u00f6r Nicklas B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m<\/a> or translated to English Success for Nicklas B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m.<\/p>\n

The SHL game was Backstrom\u2019s first in a Bryn\u00e4s jersey for 6,724 days per TV4<\/a>, when he played for the team during the 2006-07 season.<\/p>\n

6724 dagar sedan senaste matchen. 6726 dagar sedan senaste m\u00e5let. Ikv\u00e4ll \u00e4r Nicklas B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m tillbaka i Bryn\u00e4s-tr\u00f6jan.<\/p>\n

Se det \u2013 och HELA SHL-uppladdningen \u2013 p\u00e5 TV4 Play. S\u00e4ndningsstart 17:55 \ud83d\udcfa\ud83c\udfd2 pic.twitter.com\/dTqSn7hsQt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TV4 Hockey (@TV4_Hockey) August 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Backstrom signed with Bryn\u00e4s on July 28<\/a>, inking a one-year deal that has the option for a second season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always felt that I would like to represent Bryn\u00e4s again someday if the opportunity arose,\u201d Backstrom said in Swedish<\/a> and translated by Google Translate. \u201cI have long had a great drive to return to Bryn\u00e4s. After undergoing rehab and being away from the game for almost two seasons, I feel very charged and full of energy to contribute to the club\u2019s future successes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Backstrom moved back to his native country in June and put up his Northern Virginia home for sale<\/a>, ending his near two-decade run in North America. <\/p>\n

Bryn\u00e4s\u2019s next preseason game<\/a> will be next Thursday (August 21) against MoDo at H\u00e4gglunds Arena in \u00d6rnsk\u00f6ldsvik. The team\u2019s regular season opener is on Saturday, September 13 against the Vaxjo Lakers.<\/p>\n

Bryn\u00e4s\u2019s full line-up<\/a> against Timr\u00e5 IK (8\/14)
\nForwards<\/p>\n

#71 Axel Jonsson Fj\u00e4llby \u2013 #10 Johan Larsson \u2013 #33 Jakob Silfverberg
#81 Kieffer Bellows \u2013 #19 Nicklas B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m \u2013 #18 Anton R\u00f6din
#47 Lucas Pettersson \u2013 #20 Tyler Vesel \u2013 #36 Linus \u00d6lund
#17 Michal Svrcek \u2013 #41 Greg Scott \u2013 #52 Jack Kopacka<\/p>\n

Defensemen<\/p>\n

#28 Johannes Kinnvall \u2013 #5 Michal Kempn\u00fd
#3 Christian Djoos \/ #14 Robert H\u00e4gg
#27 Mattias Norlinder \/ #24 Aron Dahlqvist<\/p>\n

Goalkeepers<\/p>\n

#45 Damian Clara
#61 Collin Delia<\/p>\n

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