Washington Capitals Edge Out the Golden Knights to Win the Stanley Cup

Washington Capitals posing to team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals

It was a touching moment as Alex Ovechkin was handed the Stanley Cup trophy by Commissioner Gary Bettman. For Ovechkin, he could hardly believe it was happening. As he took the trophy in his hand, let screamed in joy after finally reaching this milestone in his career, one that has spanned 13 years.

“It meant everything This is even better. I think it’s just like a dream.”

After a career that has seen the Captain of the Washington Capitals receive almost every honour in hockey, one that includes the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy, and played over 3700 games, it was finally time for Ovechkin to taste the sweetness of victory and joining the list of those that are encrypted into its history.

Ovechkin is the first Captain of an NHL team that hails from Russia to be handed the toughest trophy in sport. As he hoisted the Cup above his head and made his victory lap, he didn’t want to let go, only hold on to the memory he has worked so hard to achieve.
For Matt Niskanen, he didn’t feel anyone would have minded saying,

“I think he could’ve taken a couple more laps with it.”

This was the first Stanley Cup Finals win for the Washington Capitals in their franchise history. After being referred to as the ultimate losers in the league for their many multiple failed attempts, they no longer will be seen in that light again after defeating the Vegas Golden Nights 4-3 in Game 5 of the finals.

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Ovechkin received top honours last night being voted the MVP by the Professional Hockey Writers Association and won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Brian MacLellan, General Manager of the Capitals, speaking about Ovechkin winning the Conn Smythe Trophy said,

“He deserves the Conn Smythe, he matured this year. I don’t know where it came from, but all of the sudden he took charge and basically led us this far.”

The first period behind them, it was the Capitals who once again got the scoring underway after a breakaway pass to Jakub Vrana from Tom Wilson made it 1-0 for Washington just over 7 minutes into the second period.

The Vega Golden Knights didn’t take long to respond and tied the game at the halfway point after Nate Schmidt slipped one past a crowded net. Less than a minute later the Capitals would find themselves on a power play after a tripping call against Brayden McNabb.

It took only 22 seconds for Ovechkin to be in the right spot after accepting a pass from Backstrom to once again see Washington out front with a 2-1 lead. Yet, for all their efforts, the Capitals failed to hold on to their second lead in the game after Tomas Tatar scored to tie the game.

The Capitals bench challenged the goal after David Peron was shoved into the net by Christian Djoos but was overruled and the goal counted. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the second, the Golden Knights took the lead in what fans hoped was a sign of things to come after Reilly Smith scored on an empty net after catching Holty out of his crease.

As the third period ran approached the halfway point, Devante Smith-Pelly pulled off a spectacular goal to once again see Game 5 tied. Yet, for the Golden Knights, it seemed their fairy-tale season was soon to come to a close as Lars Eller snuck behind Fleury to a wide open net to give the Capitals a 4-3 lead. Unable to tie the game yet again, the Washington Capitals defeated Vegas and a 44 year long anticipated celebration began.

As the third period clock hit zero, fans in Washington hit the streets surrounding the Capital One Arena to celebrate. A sea of red could be seen for blocks, and the cheers of jubilation heard for miles.

Commenting after winning the Cup on Ovechkin, Matt Niskanen said,

“Alex has been through a lot. He’s taken some heat in the past, so man that feels good for him to go up there and reach the pinnacle. I’m really happy for him. He was a stud this spring. He led the charge, he produced, he played hard, blocked shots, ran people over. He played like a champion.”

After successfully defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round and Pittsburgh Penguins in the second, they set their sights on the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the series went to game 7, and the Capitals were victorious – only then could they focus on what lay ahead – 7 more games and the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup in the air.

For Brayden Holtby, who began the playoffs as the designated backup goalie, this series showed his skill and abilities. Commenting, Holtby said,

“It doesn’t come easy,” Years of heartbreak. Years of breaking things down and trying again. This group never gave up and we finally did it.”

As Ovechkin looks back to the day he signed with the Capitals, he fondly remembers spending time with owner Ted Leonis while in his swimming pool after a BBQ. Recalling the day, Ovechkin said,

“We were swimming in the pool. He told me ‘One day, we’re going to win it.’ That was the first year. I don’t even know what the team is. I knew he wanted it so bad. This organization want it so bad … It was tough time, but we fight through it and get result.”

Now, both Ovechkin, Leonsis and the rest of the Washington Capitals franchise can rejoice knowing they did it. The Stanley Cups is theirs to hoist, celebrate and cherish the memories

Author Noah is our American writer who likes to give his own spin on everything Golf & the NHL he covers mainly the US side of the game as Doug covers the Canada. In his time off he can usually be taking to the greens or on the ice playing some hockey