After constant defeat in the playoffs and never getting past the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs the Washington Capitals move onto the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. The Caps have arguably the best scorer in the NHL in Alex Ovechkin and have built around him since drafting him first overall in 2004 draft. The first years in the league his goal tally grew and grew drawing him so much attention with how great this kid can score. All the while the Pittsburgh Penguins selected one of the greatest hockey players to ever skate on frozen water (no offense to the gretz). Sidney Crosby would become Ovi’s rival till this day after continuously being great and winning a cup his fourth year into his career while taking the past two cups with him back to ol canadia.
The Capitals flew under the radar this year with many people not thinking they’d go very far even after winning their division. Everyone thought it was the same old thing like here we go again we make it into the second round and just get wiped out per usual. Washington got the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round and lost the first two games in overtime on their home ice. I knew from then this wasn’t going to get any easier, but sure as shit they proved me wrong by coming back and winning 4 games in a row. All this just to play the Penguins in the next round who have been the hottest team since the start of the calendar year. Absolutely no one gave the caps a chance with the back to back champs looking to do what they do best and that is win.
The first four games were a split with each team winning every other game and the caps winning game 5 heading to Pittsburgh for game 6. The pens were a lock being at home and knowing how they perform in game 7’s it looked like ovi and his team were going to get a head start on their short game this off season even though it should be in tip top condition with all of their early exits in the past. So its game 6 and the game is 1-1 going into OT. Whatever team you support you’re looking through your hands and your heart rate it through the roof. The pens turn it over at Washingtons blue line where ovi picks the pick and sees Evgeny Kuznetzov picking up speed just in front of him were Alex nudges the puck up to him and the pens d-men are flailing to catch up. Kuzy goes forehand-backhand-forehand and slides is five hole on Matt Murray. They’ve done it. The caps bench jumps up and everyone rushes the ice and theres so much testosterone flowing so kuznetsov pulls out a bird flapping celly. Uhhhhhhhhh……….. I guess that’s one way to celebrate an overtime goal to send you through to the next round against the back to back champs, but who am I? I’m just the dude who played hockey until Bantam.
So they did it. I’m sure the boys were in one last night as they sit in the ovi office living it up. They need to enjoy this one for sure, but there is a shit storm heading their way in the Tampa Bay Lightning who are the deepest and most talented team in arguably the past 10 seasons if not more. Unless the caps can wear an all rubber suit to the games I think they are about to get struck by lightning (too easy i know).