John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images

The long-awaited return of Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson to the Washington Capitals’ lineup was celebrated by the Capital One Arena crowd upon the two stars taking the ice for warmups ahead of their eventual 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Although the energy created by the excitement of their insertion into the lineup was palpable and shared by both men, the emotions ranged wide for both No. 19 and No. 43.

“It’s funny”, Backstrom said after the game, “My son [Vince] actually woke me up this morning he poked me on the back and he said ‘daddy, are you playing game tonight’, I said yeah I’m going to play, and he goes ‘are you nervous?’, and I’m like, yeah buddy I’m nervous.” Backstrom, whose family attended the game, was playing his first game since undergoing hip surgery during the offseason. “That was special too, they’re watching warmups, they’re watching the game, so I’m gonna go up and say hi before they leave.”

Wilson, meanwhile, played his first game since tearing his ACL during the team’s first round 2022 Stanley Cup playoff series against the Florida Panthers last spring. Like Backstrom, the former first-round pick underwent surgery to repair his ligament, and had slowly made progress in his recovery to return tonight.

“It was a really cool experience”, reflected Wilson, who had a career-high season offensively, in 2021-22, “You can’t ever take it for granted, playing in the NHL. The fans, you know the roar when Nick and I came out, it’s a pretty special feeling. Just a thank you to everyone for all their support, from the city to the fans, we definitely felt it.”

Both players were understandably cautious heading into the first true test for their new and improved knee and hip.

“Yeah, I was”, Backstrom responded when asked if he had any nerves before taking the ice, “I get a little nervous every game, but this was obviously something different. I haven’t been this nervous before a game, I’ll be honest about that.”

“Actually the very first shift, I literally just hit my leg”, said Wilson, “And I was like okay I guess it held up, so we can move on from there. Like I said, you put in the work and everyone tells you you’re good to know but it’s different testing at the NHL level. Happy to get that one out of the way. I felt a little bit better than I thought out there, but it’s definitely overwhelming when you get out there, the music and the fans, and it’s a fast game so you just have to take it in stride and do your best.”

“Just a thank you to everyone for all their support, from the city and the fans. We definitely felt it.”@tom_wilso after returning from injury tonight#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/WGKX5Uih20

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 9, 2023

Both Backstrom and Wilson have remarked on the benefit of being able to go through their respective recoveries and rehabilitations together, feeding off the determination of the other in the weight room and on the ice. However, as both expressed, game action is a different feeling altogether.

“I thought so, but it didn’t”, Backstrom said with a smile, in reference to Wilson also returning to the lineup.

“Yeah, it meant the world obviously. I miss this…”@backstrom19 after returning from injury tonight#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/fa73Qv2fOL

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 9, 2023

The Caps are next in action on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

By Michael Fleetwood