Capitals Close Out Golden Knights to Win Stanley Cup

Alex Ovechkin will no longer be in the running as the best NHL player who never played on a Stanley Cup winner. The team captain of the Washington Capitals scored his 15th goal of the post season and goalie Braden Holtby made 28 saves as the Capitals beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Las Vegas to win the Stanley Cup Final 4 games to 1. Not only was it Ovechkin’s first Stanley Cup championship, it was also Washington’s first since joining the NHL in 1974. It was just the second appearance in the Finals for the Capitals; the team lost to the Detroit Red Wings in its only other appearance in 1998.

Ovechkin also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. Ovechkin scored 15 goals and 12 assists, or 27 points, in 24 games. Ovechkin led all players in post season goals, but teammate Evgeny Kuznetzov actually had more points (32) on 12 goals and 20 assists.

The Golden Knights won Game 1 of the Finals, played in front of the home crowd, but Washington reeled off four straight wins after that. The Golden Knights had an incredible season, making it to the Finals in their first year of existence. But after making it to the Finals, they have set the bar high for next season’s expectations, probably unrealistically high. For Washington, finally winning it all after having great regular seasons followed by early playoff exits is most satisfying as the players–and fans–frustrations and disappointments have finally come to an end.