ARLLINGTON, Va. – This is probably one fight Andre Burakovsky doesn’t mind losing. Burakovsky’s opponent, though half his size, is taking repeated jabs at the Washington Capitals forward’s torso. The kid is here for a fight, and he’s not leaving until he gets one. With a huge grin, Burakovsky playfully pushes back.

Burakovsky, along with Capitals head coach Barry Trotz, Karl Alzner and Aaron Volpatti, are at the team’s practice facility in Arlington, Va., to skate with children from Dreams for Kids DC, an organization that helps kids with physical and developmental disabilities participate in life-changing activities.

Everyone on the ice, players, volunteers and kids alike, are having a blast. But while the kids are having the experience of a lifetime, the skate also provides a much needed opportunity for players to take a mental break from the stress of a playoff push.

“As coaches and players you need avenues to get away from just the thought of playing every day and all that,” Trotz said. “So we try to balance it out and have certain events.”

As the Capitals try to hold on to their playoff spot in a tight Metropolitan Division, community outreach isn’t just about taking their mind off games, but using it as a way to prepare for on-ice battles to come.

“I always tell players you can get energy from doing good things with people,” Trotz said. “Everything from good friendships to helping people to events like these. I always think it energizes you, it’s a good thing to be a part of, so that you have balance.”

Balance is a key word Trotz has stressed more than once.

“I always tell players to have balance. At the end of the day we do this professionally … but it’s still a game and you gotta have fun.”

Spending an hour skating with kids doesn’t sound like much, but it’s something Trotz contends brings out qualities that are essential in a good teammate.

“You can’t be a good teammate unless you have some sort of compassion and sort of responsibility to not only yourself but to those around you,” he said. “To me, if you can make the people around you better on and off the ice…then you become a better teammate.”

And the players couldn’t agree more.

“It’s a lot of pressure with the playoffs coming up and every game is important,” Volpatti said. “You’re still on the ice, but your mind’s somewhere else. It’s fun to do different things with different groups.”

Burakovsky certainly appreciates the mental break these events can provide.

“It’s fun to get rid of the hockey for a little bit, just to hang out with the kids and get to know some people,” he said. “All these kids are amazing. It’s fun to be around them and get to know them.”

So, who won the fight?

“He beat me up pretty good. He’s a tough guy.”