Washington Capitals: Top Moment's from 2018's Stanley Cup Run (Slideshow)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals watch as teammate Brooks Orpik #44 celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their team defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals won the series four games to one. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

On Thursday night the Washington Capitals will square off against the Carolina Hurricanes to officially begin their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Time flies when you’re having fun and Capitals fans had about a year’s worth of celebrating including an epic summer. Before we turn the page and talk more about the 2019 postseason, let’s take one final look back at last year’s magical run.

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 17: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals reacts after Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals scored the game winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on double overtime in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 3-2 in double overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

It’s one thing to be down two games to none in a playoff series. It’s another to do so when both losses come on your home ice. What makes it even more daunting was both those losses occurred in overtime and this third game required two overtimes. The Capitals got a beautiful ugly-goal from Lars Eller to keep the season alive.

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 23:Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is greeted after scoring his second goal of second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Game 6 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena on Monday, April 23, 2018. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Capitals rode the momentum from Lars Eller‘s Game 3 GWG in the best fashion winning the next four games. Game 6 featured goals from Dmitry Orlov, a pair from Alex Ovechkin, as well as Devante Smith-Pelly, Chandler Stephenson and Eller’s empty netter. This set up a second-round rematch with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 01: Washington Capitals Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (8) jumps into the glass after scoring the game winning goal during the third period. The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Game 3 of the second round had everything a hockey fan would want in a Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins playoff game. Hard hits, controversy, fights, and gritty goals. Trailing 3-2 in the third period, the Capitals tied it with a goal from Matt Niskanen. Then with 1:07 left, Nicklas Backstrom glided down the ice with Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin got the puck just slightly trailing Backstrom, missed on the first attempt but followed his shot on a loose puck. Penguins goalie Matt Murray had no chance of stopping it.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 05: Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Alex Ovechkin #8 after scoring a third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

After an emotional Game 3 victory, the Capitals were dealt with devastating news from the NHL Department of Player Safety. Tom Wilson was suspended for three games for his hit on Zach Aston-Reese. The Capitals dropped Game 4 which evened the series, making this Game 5 at Capital One Arena pivotal. After a horrible second period where the Capitals were outshot 18-5, they entered the third trailing 3-2.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 5: Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) celebrates his third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Capitals played an inspiring brand of hockey in the third. A breakaway from Evgeny Kuznetsov tied it and Jakub Vrana gave Washington the lead for good capitalizing on a perfect setup from Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals went on to win 6-3 to put the Penguins on the brink. Capitals fans took over the portrait gallery steps after the game and the scenery was just the first of amazing things to come.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 07: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

No Tom Wilson. No Andre Burakovsky. And then now, no Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals were just one win away from defeating their hated rivals and giving something the city of Washington hadn’t seen in 20 years. Yet although the recent Backstrom injury in Game 5 set them back prediction wise, the Capitals used the “next man up” mentality and grinded their way to a 2-1 overtime win.

Alex Chiasson put the Capitals in front on an assist from Nathan Walker. Walker became the first Australian-born athlete to record a point in the NHL playoffs with the assist. Walker along with Travis Boyd made their NHL playoff debuts. With Backstrom out, Lars Eller filled in for him on the second line.

The Penguins tied it with a goal from Kris Letang and the game would require overtime. This was different. Sidney Crosby turned the puck over to Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin found Evgeny Kuznetsov streaking down the ice. Kuznetsov beat Murray and that was it. It was over.

Yet as amazing as this was, the Capitals were only halfway towards the ultimate prize.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 21: Fans wave their towels after Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) scored in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning during game six of the eastern conference finals at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Capitals rode the momentum of beating their biggest enemy into the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, winning both on the road. Coming back, the Capitals couldn’t keep it going on their home ice as they dropped not only both of their home games but Game 5 on the road to go down 3-2. That set up an important Game 6 at Capital One Arena. Do or die.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 21:Washington Capitals fans cheer after a Washington Capitals’ goal in the second period Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, May 21, 2018. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Capitals broke through in the second on a power play goal from T.J. Ohsie. In the third, the Caps doubled that lead to 2-0 with a beautiful setup from Chandler Stephenson to Devante Smith-Pelly. Oshie put it away with an empty net goal. Braden Holtby also recorded his first shutout of the season, stopping all 24 Lightning shots.

TAMPA BAY, FL – MAY 23:Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) hugs left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) at the end of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

This was the biggest Game 7 in franchise history. A win and the Capitals were heading to the Stanley Cup Finals. Alex Ovechkin rose to the occasion with a goal 62 seconds in and Washington never looked back in a 4-0 win. Andre Burakovsky added two goals after being scratched from the lineup two games ago. Nicklas Backstrom rounded it out with an empty netter.

For the second game in a row, Braden Holtby didn’t allow a goal. This time he stopped all 29 shots he faced. This was the Capitals’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 20 years.

Back home in Washington, fans packed Capital One Arena for a watch party on the big screen. It was a tradition that continued throughout the finals. After the victory, fans once again stormed those portrait gallery steps.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23: The Washington Capitals hold a free viewing party during which fans can watch the game on the jumbotron at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., May 23, 2018, prior a winner-take-all game seven between the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Capitals stayed in the Stanley Cup competition by winning in game six. (Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23: Fans celebrate a second goal of the Washington Capitals during a free viewing party during which fans can watch the game on the jumbotron at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., May 23, 2018, prior a winner-take-all game seven between the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Capitals stayed in the Stanley Cup competition by winning in game six. (Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 30: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals makes a diving stick save on a shot by Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights as John Carlson #74 of the Capitals defends in the third period of Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on May 30, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Capitals headed to Las Vegas for the Stanley Cup Finals against the first-year Vegas Golden Knights. But these guys were no ordinary first year team. They had an expansion draft that was more modernized and made things more fair and competitive for the new team. The Golden Knights took Game 1 6-4 so this was a must-win for the Capitals.

Washington loss was their fifth straight in the Stanley Cup Finals. 20 years prior, they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. On this night thanks to the heroics of Braden Holtby, the Capitals not only won their first Stanley Cup Finals game but perhaps shifted the momentum of the entire series.

Vegas jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal from James Neal. The Capitals tied it with Michal Kempny finding an open Lars Eller, who buried it in a wide-open net. In the second, Alex Ovechkin put the Capitals in front on a power play goal from the office. Brooks Orpik gave the Capitals a 3-1 cushion a few minutes later. Just before the second period ended, Shea Theodore scored on the power play to make it a one-goal game.

The Capitals knew they had to stop a high-flying Vegas team. They got a few good looks but the best look of all came from a play Alex Tuch wishes he had to this day. Tuch was wide open, shot it but Holtby laid out and made a save with the paddle of his stick. The greatest save you’ll ever see.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 02: The Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot takes part in the pregame introductions prior to Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

After that miraculous save by Holtby the Capitals returned home where a rabid D.C. fanbase awaited. The Capitals had struggled at home throughout the playoffs, entering Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals with a 4-5 record on home ice. It didn’t matter in June as the team rode the electric crowd to two straight wins to put them up 3-1 in the series.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 02: The Washington Capitals stand for the National Anthem prior to Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Whether you were inside Capital One Arena or watching outside on the big screens of F and G Street, the entire city of Washington came together as one. Joe Gibbs fired up the crowd before the game. Pat Sajak introduced the players. Fans were roaring the whole night through.

It was scoreless in the first 20 minutes but Alex Ovechkin got the Capitals on the board just over a minute into the second period, bouncing and not giving up putting in a loose puck in front of Marc-Andre Fleury. Evgeny Kuznetsov doubled the lead on a breakaway goal. The Golden Knights got on the board early in the third to make it a one-goal game but a great pass from Jay Beagle to a charging Devante Smith-Pelly put the game away for good. The Capitals went on to win 3-1 to go up 2-1 in the series.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 2: Washington Capitals fans celebrate after the team won Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: Ryan Zimmerman and Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals cheer on the Capitals with the fans during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images) /

The Capitals continued to roll with a 6-2 win in Game 4 to put themselves one win away from the Stanley Cup. Washington scored three goals in the first period and never looked back. T.J. Oshie got things started with a PPG. Tom Wilson and Devante Smith-Pelly each added goals of their own.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a goal by teammate Tom Wilson #43 (not pictured) during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

John Carlson added a PPG in the second period to put the Capitals up 4-0. The Vegas Golden Knights got back in the game with two goals in the third period from James Neal and Reilly Smith. The Capitals got insurance goals to put the game away from Michal Kempny and a PPG from Brett Connolly. This promoted the fans to start believing. The Capitals were up 3-1 in the series and one win away.

“We want the Cup”.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after the team’s 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

June 7, 2018. The day that Capitals fans had been waiting for. Whether they were there from day one back in 1974 or started watching during this era, the entire fanbase came together across the globe. T-Mobile Arena is home to the Vegas Golden Knights, but you wouldn’t have known it on that Thursday June night. It was a sea of red.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 7: Washington Capitals fans react to a goal from the Capitals as they watch the Stanley Cup Final Game 5 outside Capital One Arena on June 7, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

That sea of red was even bigger back in Washington, D.C. both inside and outside of Capital One Arena. There, fans flooded the building and the streets in anticipation of a historic night.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 07: Washington Capitals fan, Mackenzie Frazier and others react to the Capitals first goal during game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights near Capital One Arena on Thursday June 07, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

After a scoreless first period, Jakub Vrana opened the scoring in the second with a breakaway goal. Nate Schmidt, former Captial, tied it. Alex Ovechkin gave the Capitals the lead from the office with a PPG. The Golden Knights answered with goals from David Perron and Reilly Smith to go up 3-2 entering the final 20 minutes.

The Capitals responded after the second intermission with an inspiring third period. Devante Smith-Pelly tied the game with a diving goal. Lars Eller gave the Capitals the lead. Fleury thought he had stopped a shot from Brett Connolly but the puck just sat right behind him. The Tiger pounced on it.

The Capitals hung on for the final 7:37 which felt like an eternity. Then with .08 seconds to go there was one final face-off. As the puck dropped, to put it in radio voice John Walton’s quote, “The words that D.C. fans have been waiting to hear since 1974, the Washington Capitals are the 2018 Stanley Cup champions. It’s not a dream. It’s not a desert mirage. It’s Lord Stanley and he is coming to Washington.”

Capitals fans I hope you enjoyed reliving last year. Now it’s time to put it in the memory bank and do it again in 2019!

Next. Enjoy the Ride, Capitals Fans. dark

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