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Sweden’s Backstrom not feeling added pressure despite stepping into larger role in Sochi

Ice Hockey - Sweden vs Switzerland

SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 14: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of Sweden handles the puck in the second period against Switzerland during the Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group C game on day seven of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome on February 14, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

Martin Rose

No Henrik Sedin. No Henrik Zetterberg. Those two injuries could’ve had a negative impact on Sweden’s men’s Olympic hockey team.

(Remember, Sedin was ruled out of the competition days before the Olympics and Zetterberg had to leave after one game due to a back injury.)

Instead, a difficult situation has turned into an opportunity for Nicklas Backstrom to become a main man up the middle, and he’s taken full advantage to this point in the tournament. Through five games, the now 26-year-old Backstrom, centering the top line, is tied with Daniel Sedin and Erik Karlsson for the team lead in assists with four. He’s been forced to emerge as one of the key contributors on a team now competing in the gold medal game against the defending Olympic champions from Canada.

His production and valuable minutes - he’s averaged 18:22 per game - have helped Team Sweden secure at least a silver medal. Now, there’s one game left. One game to put it all on the line for one’s country, to win gold. No pressure, right?

“I don’t feel like I have pressure from outside,” Backstrom told NHL.com. “I always put pressure on myself and have high expectations of myself in a tournament like this or when you go into a new NHL season. That’s a similar situation.

“I think that is enough, to put the pressure and expectations I have for myself. Obviously we have a lot of ice time and the coaching staff believes in us, so it is something we have to take care of.”

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