Capitals Close Out Lightning to Advance to Stanley Cup Finals

One thing is certain in this season’s Stanley Cup Final: We will have a first time Cup winner.

The Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa 4-0 on May 23rd to advance to the Finals for the first time since the 1997-98 season, when they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in four games. That has been the only other Finals appearance by the Capitals, who entered the NHL in 1974.

This is also the first Finals appearance by Alex Ovechkin, who has played his entire career in Washington. Ovechkin’s first season was the 2005-6 campaign. He was the Calder Memorial Trophy winner, awarded to the top rookie. He’s won the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player in 2008, 2009, and 2013, plus a host of other awards. During his career, the Capitals have won three President’s Trophies as the top team in the NHLs regular season, only to fall short of the Finals in the post season. Now he gets his shot at age 32.

Washington’s opponent is the Vegas Golden Knights, who are an incredible story as a first year expansion team making it to the Finals. The pressure is on Washington to finally win it all, as Vegas long ago exceeded all expectations. The Stanley Cup Finals begin in Las Vegas on May 28th.