You know what it's like to want to win. But somehow, you never quite get there.... But that all changed.
On Thursday, June 7, 2018, the Capitals made history. They won the elusive Stanley Cup in 5 games, defeating the Las Vegas Knights. If you're reading this and you're a D.C. sports fan, you may still be celebrating.
After countless seasons of disappointment, broken dreams, and heartbreak for all of DC, the Capitals won the Stanley Cup for the first time ever, bringing home the first win for Washington, D.C. since 1992. Do the math—that's 26 years. And let me tell you, those have been a long 26 years.
Led by gray-haired, embattled Alex Ovechkin the team worked harder than ever before, playing with grit, determination and a ferocious mental toughness. And for fans, the road to the play-offs contained some of the most exciting, heart-dropping, beautiful moments of hockey DC had seen yet.
Sports teams win championships all the time. But this win was special.
The Cup wasn't won entirely by superstars. In fact, if no-name players hadn't scored in crucial moments of the game and cemented themselves in Washington hockey lore, I probably wouldn't be writing this article. Devante Smith-Pelley, scoring only seven goals throughout the regular season, tied Alex Ovechikin for most third-period goals scored at 5, and scored the crucial goal to tie the game in game 5. When asked about his play, Smith-Pelley humbly said, "Just trying to do my part."
We can't forget the fights. Oh, the Caps slammed bodies and threw some punches. In Game 7 against the Lightning, Capitals player Tom Wilson and Lightning player Braydon Coburn were put in the penalty box for fighting after Coburn ripped off Wilson's jersey. Two minutes later, when released, they dropped their gloves and continued to throw punches. Wilson punched Coburn so hard his helmet flew off. I can't endorse fighting in hockey, it's illegal. But the Caps showed a willingness to fight for their honor, fight for each other, and fight to win each game that was amazing to watch.
Then there was "The Save." In game 2 against Las Vegas, Braden Holtby made a save so spectacular that that he couldn't dream of making again even if his life depended on it. With the Caps winning by a fragile 3-2 margin, Holtby dove and stopped the puck with his stick as if he was stopping a spinning quarter with his hand. Talk about snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
And lastly, they showed tenderness. Brett Connolly tried to throw a game puck over to a smiling, mostly toothless little girl. His first attempt was quickly snatched away as her father gave the puck to his son. Connolly then threw another one to her, but it was snatched yet again and given to her other brother. Finally, on his third attempt, she finally got it and proceeded to hop up and down in sheer glee. And later, after finally winning the Stanley Cup, players quickly went to find their young children to touch, or, in the case of Niklas Backstrom, put their children inside the Stanley Cup.
Who knows if the Capitals will ever win another Stanley Cup. But right now, we can all bask in the victory as the Capital's story will be told and re-told for years to come.
