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There was a lot of talk in the media when Alexander Ovechin and Nicklas Bäckström finished third and fourth in points in the league. After winning the regular season with ease Washington was a clear favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

 Montreal was viewed as one of the playoffs’ easiest opponents.
 What no one had anticipated was the great play from Jaroslav Halak.
 In the fifth game in the series Halak madel 37 saves, in game six 53 and in the decisive game seven he made 41 saves.
 "Everyone in Washington was expecting a long post season from us and of course we in the team felt the same way. But the first round is always difficult and … yeah maybe we were a bit sloppy. We had the lead 3-1 and played pretty good and even though their goalie was good, we should have taken care of it," says Nicklas Bäckström.
The unexpected earliy exit from the playoffs meant that he returned home to Gävle much earlier then expected.

"It was a hard loss to to take. The only thing I could do was to go home and lick my wounds and try to heal up. I tried to reset my mind and turn the page as fast as possible. It’s tough over there so you need to start preparing for the upcoming season almost immediately."

That’s the phase Nicklas Bäckström is in right now- in the middle of a new pre-season and more preparations for his fourth year in Washington
If you compare your last year with your first two – what have you learned?
 "I have learned so much. The league is very competitive you have to be at the top of your game every single day. If you compare it with the SEL there is a lot of differences but the biggest difference is that you have to process the information much faster over here and think on your feet.

And Off the ice?

    " You learn a lot there too. There are a lot of travel-days and I’ve been forced to grow up a bit faster then if I had stayed in Sweden, you know. At the same time it’s great fun and I get to experience a lot. It’s fun to go to cities that I never been in before and I get to see a lot of the country."
What about language?
    "It’s getting better and better. In the beginning I was a bit lost but you learn over time and I think I got into it pretty quickly. During the last year I took part in all conversations and understood everything.
    Hockey-wise Nicklas Bäckström has improved every year in Washington. The first season ended with 69 points, then 88 and in the last season 101.
    But in the playoffs it’s been a mixed bag for Bäckström just as it’s been for the team. The team have made to the second round and Bäckström have a point total of 14 as the best result so far.
If you compare the regular season with playoffs?
     It’s as different as night and day- The game goes to another level and everybody gets so much better it almost like it’s not even the same game.
    What does it take to win it all?
    "First off you need to find a run of luck. And you need a good goalie.
What does Washington need to improve?
    "Up until the playoffs began, we had a good season but as I said the game change dramatically in the playoffs. When we get there again we must do better, be more focused and not let up as we did last year."
What’s your goal?
    "Stanley Cup."

Nicklas Backstrom about … Alexander Ovechkin: "He’s a monster. An incredibly good player, a finisher that always goes straight towards the cage, shoots a lot and run people over. I’m the guy that’s suppose to assist him so that he can score goals." what Ovechkin has meant to his success in the NHL: "I get that question in every interview but of course he has contributed. I have a lot to thank him for. " The ten-year contract: "I wanted a long-term contracts in order to feel safe where I am. I know the city and I know how the organization works – so why would I change? " The contract worth 490 millions: "Of course it feels good to get paid to do something you love. It also gives me a sense of security." City of Washington: "I have lived in the same place the whole time, it’s close to the training facilities and I really like it there. It’s close to everything and the city is perfect. "

    … … Marcus Johansson making the squad: "It would be great with more Swedish guys on the team and hopefully he will make it. We don’t have a lot of centers that are ready to go and I know for a fact that Washington thinks very highly of him.