This Day In Capitals History: Backstrom Recalls Playing Through Migraine In Game 5 Against Golden Knights To Hoist Stanley Cup

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is no stranger to migraines, having dealt with them for years over the course of his life. But he's has only played through one on one occasion, and it was in the biggest game of his life.

Six years ago on this day, Backstrom was getting ready for a night that would change the course of his career and legacy. Then, something changed: his vision blurred, an aura came on and a raging migraine would take over.

"It's hard to see coming," Backstrom told The Hockey News of his migraine attacks. "If that happens, it's game over. If I start feeling it, that's it."

The migraines, which cause half of Backstrom's body to go numb in addition to throbbing pain, usually sideline Backstrom for games, and he's left to take ibuprofen and wait it out in a dark and quiet room.

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But for Backstrom, he wasn't going to miss out on his chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. So he skated out under the bright lights, opting for the 20,000-seat arena instead.

Still, through 19:28 minutes in Game 5, where he also played through two fractures in his finger, Backstrom picked up an assist — fittingly, on an Alex Ovechkin power-play goal — en route to the 4-3 win that secured the franchise's first Stanley Cup title.

"That's the only time I've played through one," Backstrom said. "That scenario, I wasn't gonna get off."

Backstrom indeed stayed on the ice, hoisting the Cup with the help of captain Alex Ovechkin. Then, he made his way to the locker room, dancing, singing and drenching himself in beer as the celebration — and his throbbing migraine — raged on.

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His teammates admittedly didn't notice much was off about No. 19, especially because he plays his cards close to the vest. They did say, though, that him playing through that speaks volumes about who he is.

"Backy is definitely more old-school, I would say, when it comes to things he's dealing with or things that are bothering him," teammate T.J. Oshie said. "You're not going to hear him complaining about anything, so he just comes in and does his work. And you know, if he's battling things, a lot of the times he doesn't show it, and he's so good on the ice you just don't know it."

For Backstrom, though, despite the pain, it was one of the best nights of his life.