Washington Capitals: June 7 four years later, what we learned and what’s next

Happy four year anniversary Washington Capitals fans to the best day of our lives and sadly there hasn’t been a single day closer since to matching that awesomeness of that night.

There’s a lot that has happened since then. A pandemic, a changing of presidential administrations, and four straight first round exits. It’s taught us one thing, these things are as rare as it gets and as we look back on this day, we should look back and smile about what happened.

Imagine if it went the other way around. Like they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. Or the Vegas Golden Knights in the Cup Finals. Imagine if Alex Tuch did make that shot and Braden Holtby’s stick wasn’t there. Hockey is a game of inches and for once the inches were in favor of the Capitals.

I do think we should have kept Barry Trotz. I also think at the same time, Trotz had the right to walk out the door when he wasn’t shown the Cup wining money a coach is supposed to get. I do think Peter Laviolette could be the guy to help the Caps get their second Cup, he just has to correct some things and the decision makers are in for a big summer.

I also think the core can still win one more Cup before Alex Ovechkin retires but I am optimistic with caution. I think this upcoming season will be their last best shot to do it. Ovechkin could very well pass Gordie Howe next season and even if he gets closer to Wayne Gretzky will it still be a competitive Capitals team or will be a team constantly feeding him the puck so he can get it and retire?

But if there’s one thing June 7 taught us four years ago, it’s that anything is possible even if it occurs in the least expected way possible. The Caps entered that season with many hockey experts and pundits believing their best chances were behind them. It was almost like having no expectations was exactly what they needed. Maybe that’s the approach we should take as fans next season.

But one thing is certain, it’s going to be a fun ride the next couple years watching Ovechkin chase the biggest goals record in hockey history. It will also be an interesting and emotional quest to find out how the Caps can get past their first round woes. But for now, grab a cold one and pop on some YouTube highlights. Happy Cup anniversary, babes.