Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom headed for the Capital One Arena parking garage, carrying his 4-year-old daughter Haley in his arms.
“Papa!” she said, planting a kiss on his cheek.
Backstrom smiled and propped her up further on his shoulders. It was a moment where he could finally relax.
For nearly 72 minutes of hockey, Backstrom and the Capitals fought through another nail-biter, another pivotal meeting that went, again, into overtime. But it was the Capitals who came out on top — with Backstrom leading the way with two goals in a 4-3 win Saturday over the Columbus Blue Jackets.