Hundreds of thousands of fans attend the parade to celebrate Washington’s first NHL title.<\/b>
\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Nine early playoff exits paved the way for the Capitals\u2019 unexpected Stanley Cup run and made the trip down Constitution Avenue all the more satisfying to the NHL champions and their fans.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom rode the final bus down the mile-long parade route, lifting the Cup to roaring cheers.
Five days after capturing the franchise\u2019s first title and the first of any kind by a Washington team in the major four professional sports since 1992, this was their day to soak in winning following so much disappointment.
\u201cBecause we waited so long, I think it feels even better,\u201d Backstrom said.
Hundreds of thousands of fans lined Constitution and filled the National Mall on Tuesday to celebrate a long journey fulfilled. One fan held up a sign reading, \u201cWorth the Wait,\u201d but before the end of the rally, T. J. Oshie already had the crowd thinking about next season.
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of chants,\u201d Oshie said. \u201cThere\u2019s been, \u201cLet\u2019s Go Caps,\u201d there\u2019s been, \u201cWe Want the Cup.\u201d We\u2019ve heard in the streets, \u201cWe\u2019ve got the Cup.\u201d We\u2019ve got a new one for you today \u2013 \u2018Back-to-back.\u201d
The serious work of getting geared up for next season begins with decisions on Coach Barry Trotz, defenseman John Carlson and other free agents.
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