Revisiting the 2018 Washington Capitals

They won a Cup in 2018 after plenty of disappointment for decades prior. It made for a good story of a team finally winning that first championship.
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[@Wayf4rer]

2018 and 2019 were fun years as a neutral fan because it signaled the official ending of the reign of terror of the Penguins, Hawks, and Kings as the juggernauts of the league

[@icewyre]

Yea it was definitely super nice to see two teams win their first Cup

[@gocanuckurself1]

Tampa’s reign of terror is over too lol

[@Wayf4rer]

@@gocanuckurself1 It was only two years as opposed to the like 10 prior where three teams were just destroying everyone

[@poonking3628]

@@gocanuckurself1 we don’t know that quite yet

[@Jlalo747]

@@gocanuckurself1 i wouldn't bet on that, unfortunately

[@gdv355]

Smith-Pelly was so clutch for us during our run

[@thomassmith2891]

I hate that we didn't make him a regular

[@gdv355]

@@thomassmith2891 Me too

[@jkliao6486]

@@thomassmith2891 Because he was out of shape during the training camp and really was just a miracle series performance by him.

[@thomassmith2891]

@@jkliao6486 yeah but so was the rest of the team I bet. Caps cup hangover was legendary, I love smith-pelly he had heart

[@jkliao6486]

@@thomassmith2891 Not really, everyone is fit to play, but not DSP.

[@firephoenix1785]

Holtby was so good in these playoffs. Besides the game 2 finals save on Tuch, he was so clutch in games 6 and 7 against Tampa. With our backs against the wall, he shutouts a Tampa team that won the East twice in a row, 3-0 in game 6 and 4-0 in game 7. What's insane to me is that he had a 163:42 shutout streak, extending from game 5 against Tampa all the way to game 1 in the finals. And I'd like to give a shoutout to DSP, with some insane clutch scoring in the finals.

[@jonburford633]

The funny thing is if you look at his playoff stats even during the seasons they didn’t win the cup he’s always been good. Just not the best regular season goalie.

[@EPCOTFan82]

Also I'm happy you mentioned Grubauer because people really forget that he's the reason the Caps even made the post season that year, Holtby was already on the decline that season and didn't play well during the regular season. The Caps just got lucky that Holtby went beast mode during the playoffs, it was honestly the last time Holtby played at his best.

[@dmonsef]

The reason Holtby flipped a switch was because of Mitch Korn. Korn had stepped aside to be the Associate Goalie Coach and Scott Murray took his place as the regular goalie coach. It didn't work with Holtby. Korn towards the end of that season directly worked with Holtby to try to fix his game. It paid off in the playoffs. From that season till now, Scott Murray has been a big disappointment as the Caps goalie coach. Korn might be considered one of the best goalie coaches of all time, as he's the one that molded Dominik Hasek into arguably one of the greatest goalies ever in the NHL.

[@jonburford633]

I mean you could argue he’s also the reason the Caps started 0-2 against the Blue Jackets and anyone who says Gruby was the better goalie is lying lol 😆 Holtby struggled a bit during the regular season but he’s always had great postseason numbers and to me that’s more important the ability to step it up when it really matters. If we left Gruby in we probably get swept by the Blue Jackets.

[@timheinrich3752]

Holts also had his last two years with the Caps playing behind one of the worst defensive schemes I've ever seen under Reirden. His numbers in Dallas this year were pretty solid.

[@dmonsef]

@@timheinrich3752 Also the 1 season he had with the Canucks was awful too. Travis Green was a horrible coach that left his goalies out to dry. Demko is very good to handle that, but it was a bad fit for Holtby. With the Stars Holtby was holding up well early in the season and then they called up Oettinger, who was great for them. Holtby then sustained some strange lower body injury that kept him out the rest of the season. I assume he has recovered by now. I think with a fairly good playoff team Holtby can revive his career in at least a 1A/1B role. He still has some of the best playoff numbers of active goalies. He's only 32, so his career is not over yet.

[@EPCOTFan82]

I just want this team back man 😢 But in all seriousness, thank god "we" won the Cup, because I highly doubt I'll ever see them win another in my lifetime.

[@Apj1708]

Great year! If I remember correctly Eller scored the OT winner in Game 3 vs CBJ but Carlson did have a PP goal that game.

[@markushizenburg7048]

Yea Eller scored in double OT off a lucky bounce or we could have been down 0-3 in the first rd. Then Eller scored GWG for the cup as well.

[@brianmunday9846]

Along with the Championship goal

[@jkliao6486]

@@markushizenburg7048 Eller was the ultimate depth player, or as Ovi called, the secret weapon in 2018. He stepped up big time when Backy was hurt after game 5 in second round as well as that three point game 2 against vegas when Kuzy was hurt early in the game.

[@HockeyfanCaps]

Carlson didn’t score the CBJ game 3 winner it was Eller

[@thomasriishojgaard5677]

in 2OT, Idk if he mentioned that

[@LanceVance81]

Ovi lifting the trophy will never get old.

[@mikegargan967]

No, it sure f'ing will not!!

[@jayvardy]

I watched every single Caps playoff game that year. Ovechkin went in Beast mode. Not just points... He played the best all around hockey I have ever seen him play in his entire career. He truly deserved the Conn Smythe.

[@pancyclosis]

Settle a dispute, I always thought the Conn Smythe trophy went to the finals MVP, not the whole playoff run. Has there ever been a Conn Smythe winner who wasn't in the finals?

[@jayvardy]

@@pancyclosis no. And it rarely goes to a member of the losing team in the finals. The Smythe as described is the most valuable player to his team in the playoffs. But you have to be a conference champion to be eligible for it.

[@markushizenburg7048]

I thought kuzy got robbed of the conn Smythe tbh. Glad ovi got it though.

[@icewyre]

@@pancyclosis as others have said, yeah it's for the MVP of the entire playoffs, though it only ever goes to those who make the finals. But from my years of watching, if there was a player that didn't quite make the finals that I'd say deserved the Conn Smythe the most, I would say 2017 Erik Karlsson. Man basically dragged the Sens to within a goal of the finals. Just lost to the eventual Cup winners in Game 7 OT in the Conference Finals.

[@jayvardy]

@@icewyre I prefer the Smythe being exclusive to finalists. It always throws me off in the IIHF at the World's and Olympics that their MVP's can be players not in the Gold Medal game. Doesn't make sense to me.

[@bryanflores3633]

Holtby had a 158 min shutout streak to close out Tampa.

[@Nikkerman]

Perfect team to look at on the 4th of july, this is the run that made me discover the Channel because I could not get enough of media reactions to my Caps finally beating the Penguins after so many years of heartbreak. It also is and probably will remain my favourite championship run in sports history.

[@XaviRonaldo0]

You neglected to mention Holtby shutout Tampa in games 6 and 7. Washington was on the brink and he absolutely shut the door. Honesty the Conn Smythe could've gone to him. It's such a shame his Washington career ended the way it did after what he did in that cup run. Wouldn't mind seeing him signed back as Sammy's backup/mentor after he had a solid season with Dallas.

[@brianhobaugh]

As a Pittsburgh fan, you’re totally right about that round 2 series feeling different. Even after the Pens came back to win game 1, I had this weird feeling we weren’t going to get it done. I’m glad Ovie got his Cup that year, but hopefully that’s the only one he gets.

[@mr.knightdraculasbootycall2997]

Sad the Caps ended Vegas’ miracle season, but Ovie deserved to hoist the cup

[@PieEater900]

Best time of my life. I was at the watch party outside Capital One Arena during game 5. It was incredible.

[@klompsauce]

Magical run, Ovi needed at least one

[@swedreamhack5308]

Thrilled about this run for Caps, Ovechkin and Backstrom. Imagine if this didn't happen and you kind of have to live in disbelief knowing these two retired without winning the big one. I secretly agree with the Conn Smythe, but NHL's history book is sort of like the tales of medieval battles where a clerk or registrator would write down the event race - the greater and more known participants usually gets the honors when it's not crystal clear who were the most distinguished.

[@davidtuttle7556]

I’ll disagree. Defensively Ovi was really good during this run. Which is not something he’s known for. Kuzy played well offensively but Ovi played 200 feet, was physically as dominant as he’s ever been, and had several goals that went right through the goaltender. When Geno scored the winner against Pittsburgh it was Ovi providing the perfect feed after Kempney knocked Sid off the puck (when does that ever happen?) And that goal in game seven against Tampa was something else. Vaslevsky squared up and the puck went right through him. No, they got the Conne Smythe right.

[@nollieflipcrook]

Eh OV definitely deserved the Conn Smythe. Kuzy had SLIGHTLY more points than OV, and he had some big goals, but OV also had some huge goals, he played a complete game, he was a leader, and he is Alex Ovechkin. If he didn’t get the Conn Smythe Caps fans would have rioted

[@connor_weggy]

I’ve always liked the caps as a second or third team and this ended up being I think the only time I’ve been alive where I was excited with who won and loved watching it. It was just awesome seeing Ovi lift it.

[@edalder2000]

35 year Capitals fan here. Let's see. LaFontaine, Nedved, Halak, Mario, Sid, Straka, Turgeon, so much pain....it was a meme. It was Sisyphus. An unbearable weight. Hope that was crushed in the worst possible way year after year. The boulder rolled down the hill and it started all over again after a day of crushing sadness. In 2017, I swore that I would never see The Capitals win a Cup. Then the unthinkable happened. The Capitals won The Stanley Cup. I was with a Red Sox fan friend during Game 5 of The SCF in Vegas. I have fought Anxiety and Depression that I was afraid to be alone. The weight of years of fear and failure was an impossible weight on me. I was in agony those last few minutes. Imagine all of the anguish welling up with relief in sight and fearing let letdown yet again. I told my Red Sox friend that he had no idea how I felt. My Red Sox fan friend responded, "Yes I do. 2004." When the final horn sounded, I sat in disbelief. Words failed me. As a 5 year Tower Records vet, I just played "The Hallelujah Chorus" because that was how I felt. The weight was gone and replaced by indescribable joy. When Ovi first held The Cup and let out that primal yell, that was the catharsis that I felt.

[@jkliao6486]

That famous saying by Connolly after he was asked there was no team in the playoff to lose three straight in OT, and he replied:"we were pretty close, huh". The difference this team showed compared with previous team was that they never lost a game when they had a chance to eliminate the opponent. They put the hammer down whenever there's a chance, a killer instinct that has been criticized since 2015 when they gave up a 3-1 lead against the rangers.

[@kevinfunk83]

I can’t believe that was 4 year’s ago. Hated the decision to not pay Trotz. You can fight me on that but it was definitely the Caps decision.

[@davesauve5769]

Ain't no way on God's green earth Trotz was staying with the Caps. After he was disrespected it was over.

[@ParLay--]

Great year, pain ever since.

[@nickvenuto9803]

The Caps were up 2-0 against Tampa and then lost 3 straight and i thought here we go again... Then Holtby back to back shutouts in game 6 and 7

[@DClaBarraBrava]

What a season! Such a fun time here in DC, we waited so long for a cup. Thank you Devante Smith-Pelly! 7 playoff goals are you kidding me!? People remember the Vegas goal easily but he had huge 3rd period goals to finish off TB & Columbus.

[@Peksisarvinen]

Ovi was absolutely the MVP in the playoffs. He scored or assisted basically all the most important goals, and gave them the heart required. Kuzy was fantastic, Holts was fantastic, Eller was fantastic, Bäckström was fantastic, Carlson was fantastic and DSP was fantastic. But Ovi was the guy who made it all possible, and willed them to a win. Unquestionably.

[@sportscastercanada]

Holtby went downhill after. 🫤

[@anthonymaestas4777]

@@sportscastercanada well he probably sold his soul, so the devil had to collect his talent lmao 🤣

[@capsfan901]

DSP was probably the most amazing part of that Cup run. He had the most timely goals. And most if not all were highlight reel goals. Miss him still. I wish he had been able to stay in the nhl or make a comeback.

[@ProDucktions0]

It was one of those runs where everybody did what they had to do and they did it perfectly.

[@shadowdog200]

Washington was down 3-2 in the Tampa series which is notable.

[@bdonaghu]

I'm a Sabres fan of course, but I love in the DC area and sort of consider the Caps as my second favorite team. The Cup handoff from Ovi to Backstrom was an absolutely legendary moment in hockey.

[@tylergreene9316]

Ovi just needed 1. Thanks 2018 caps! I got to go see the parade. It was soooo packed and I loved it.

[@przemekdziegielewski417]

That 2018 CF was painful for Lightning fans. Up 3-2, one game away from the Final and they could not beat Holtby in both Game 6 and Game 7.

[@brianmunday9846]

Don't forget the Martin Erat trade set up this whole Caps 2018 run. Some say it was one of the worst trades in the history of the nhl but it won the Caps a cup. McPhee gets fired. GMBM takes over. Trades for Oshie, Caps sign Connolly, sign DSP, sign Eller. Draft Vrana. Justin Williams although not a Caps cup winner helps mentor this team to one. Of course Trotz was huge and other additions such as nisky, and kempny but if FILIP FORSBERG stays then the Caps don't achieve the chemistry to go on and win. Best trade ever.

[@dmonsef]

McPhee wasn't fired(people say all the time but are incorrect). He was GM of the Caps for 17 years(way too long and I don't think another GM has come close to that since) and simply the Caps let his contract expire. Assistant GM BMac interviews for the GM job. The true story goes that BMac in his interview just straight up told to owner Ted Leonsis/hockey ops Dick Patrick(I despise both for many reasons) face what was wrong with team and what needed to done. Ted was struck by that approach, but it was a bit of a wake up call and he hired BMac to be the new GM. The Caps never really did an extensive interview process for other candidates after BMac had his interview.

[@brianmunday9846]

@@dmonsef Fired not rehired, contract expired they all rhyme and are all the exact same thing. It means no more McPhee. So back to my post. What are your thoughts on the Caps winning a cup if Forsberg was not traded for Erat.

[@dmonsef]

@@brianmunday9846 There not the same thing, but whatever. It might have never happened if they had kept Forsberg. The thing is the Caps could somewhat make amends for that trade blunder if they sign Forsberg now, if he doesn't come to a deal with the Preds before Free Agency starts.

[@1bert719]

Although I've never been a Caps fan (never disliked them either) it was nice to see this cup after the comedic expansion year through to there fun run to the 98 finals. This was especially nice as they slayed there nemesis in the Penguins en route too.

[@OaksArmorial]

‘18 was an electric summer for the Maryland beer league community.

[@paulmusselman]

Love the picture of Bettman in the back.

[@chrisrenzi2912]

I'm a lifelong Caps fan. Thank you for this, good memories.

[@otto6702]

Waited 20+ years to see them win it. Lot of heartbreak and bad memories were cleansed by 2018.

[@AAAAAA79473]

And it was the last time Washington won a playoff series.

[@dmonsef]

Ugh...

[@richardfink31]

Still happy, Pens haven't won also.

[@timheinrich3752]

Slight correction, the OT winner in G3 against the Blue Jackets was scored by Eller off a wild bounce. It was the moment I knew this year was different. That was the type of "puck luck" the Caps never seemed to have before.

[@gdv355]

That was a great year for us. #LetsGoCAPS

[@pensavspatsfandom98]

That Kuznetsov game winning goal in OT in Pittsburgh against the Penguins still painful to this day…… symbolized the end of the memes and the dominating team that the Penguins once were. 😢

[@eirikrdberg1161]

Ovie deserved the Conn Smythe. He was so tuned in and Kuznetsov followed his leader. Both 100% needed, but you can’t share the trophy and after 13 grueling seasons Ovechkin finally won and played his best hockey ever.

[@briangreen1781]

Such a good year.

[@Mark-xl1ze]

Was really happy for Ovi and the Caps when they won it all. Way overdue.

[@gocanuckurself1]

Once they beat Pittsburgh, you knew Washington was on to something lol

[@christophermagnan4792]

You omitted the celebration in the Washington Harbour fountains. My friend Staci got swept up in it. Along the way, the entourage lost Vrana, who wandered off. They all looked like they had a good time, but probably don’t remember it.

[@richardjohndrow3365]

It would have been fun to see Vegas win the Cup in their first year, but there’s no way I was going to root against Ovi in that circumstance.

[@Mcbikey24]

Best Stanley Cup celebrations of all time for sure

[@ben_cross21]

Caps had insane depth, but after winning the cup guys had to get paid and they wanted to keep their core together (Ovi backy oshie carlson kuzi Wilson), which meant giving up guys like Connolly stephenson, Burakovsky, Vrana, etc. who have all thrived elsewhere

[@Mayor_Of_Eureka17]

Incredible topic Shannon.

[@scottnance2200]

It's a cliche, but the 2018 Caps really did feel like a team of destiny. They had won the Presidents' Trophy the previous two years, but you just knew that, once they got to the playoffs, something was going to give. I don't know any other way to put it, but 2018 just felt different.

[@patrickhall6627]

The Ovi cup raise is an iconic moment in NHL history.

[@umphstein4629]

in typical caps drama they trailed in every series down 2-0 to clb, 1-0 pitt,3-2 tb and 1-0 vegas

[@markushizenburg7048]

Holtby back to back shutouts in game 6 and 7 in conf. Finals vs TB was one of the more crazy moments of that cup run

[@beneasler8868]

I definitely think the Conn Smythe should have gone to Kuznetzov. He has the second highest playoff run point total in the cap era only behind Malkin's 36 in '09 (which won him a Conn Smythe).

[@xlr0gd205]

1. 2018 Finals should've went 7 2. Brock McGinn's goal is pure pain 3. We are going into next season with a pretty good squad and if we somehow make playoffs, I'm sure we won't choke 1st round again (assuming Wilson is back at the point)

[@braytonvbeck]

the hockey guy is awesome!

[@ItsAlpacaMan]

So happy Ovie got one

[@brandonnarayan5796]

A lot resiliency with this team. They blew game one against the Pens giving up 3 quick goals after being up 2-0 in the third. Round 3 they lost 3 straight to Tampa.

[@rushilb6]

Revisiting is needed cuz now they can’t even get out of the first round

[@piggy8761]

Their curse now

[@anthonymaestas4777]

Maybe Holby should've gotten some Cons Smythe considerations he played remarkable

[@ben_cross21]

Once the caps finally got over the penguins hump, there was simply no team that would beat them, literally none. The weight was off their shoulders. Kuznetsov was a mcdavid out there

[@neo3871]

Game 3 OT goal vs CLB was by Eller.

[@Mcbikey24]

Best hockey year ever

[@andersnilsson8303]

That early Friday morning is something that I will never forget.

[@rattlehead54321]

You didn't want to get a penalty with Kuznetsov and Ovechkin on the ice. That was a almost for sure goal.

[@114MrCool]

Game 3 was 2OT and Eller got the winner…

[@dmonsef]

Off his leg! It was basically a double deflection off a Bobrovsky rebound he gave up.

[@terrywoods6516]

I believe the CAPS were 1-10 vs. the evil Penguins in the playoffs before beating them on the way to the glorious Stanley Cup win. 1994 the only other playoff win.

[@plink7803]

OVIE!!!

[@ozzydo2314]

I said when round two started that if Washington beats the penguins they win the cup

[@brandonb.6099]

Evgeni Kuznetzov should have been the Conn Smythe winner in 2018.

[@flamingbeaver9414]

What I remember most was the chick on the glass in Vegas who flashed the players after they won 😂 legendary

[@zackamania6534]

Just happy they ended that bullcrap Vegas nonsense…

[@jkliao6486]

I always joke with my friend that we saved the other 31 teams (including us) from getting humiliated by the vegas, and that fans from those teams should all have been rooting for us and thank us for the service XD

[@eirikrdberg1161]

The caps were old in 2018. How the heck are they gonna win with the same team in 2023? Hope they do it.

[@igornovak5584]

Are you planning to do "the best Slovaks" or "my favorite Slovaks" video?

[@BvG_Venom]

Do you think that the Conn Smythe is narrative driven? Like maybe if it's close between a few guys they go with the guy that's had the best career and makes a good story

[@emilelocas5496]

Wait, the double overtime winner in game 3 of the CBJ series wasnt scored by eller? Am I going nuts?

[@ThegoatedPEteacher]

Eller scored the game winner in game 3 vs CBJ not Carlson

[@patch8376]

Vegas did kind of get swept after game 1.

[@dreamchasserr7969]

the avs and capitals were so similar after many struggles finally getting it done

[@cstmollins]

Haha no.

[@misakikoko4500]

As a long time Caps fan, I would say their Cup winning team was nothing like this year's Avs team. This year's Avs team was far and away the best team going into the playoffs. They were more similar to the juggernaut Caps team from the 09-10 season. The two biggest differences are: Makar is better defensively than Green and the Avs never faced a goalie that was playing at a godly level like Halak did the last three games. The Caps team that won the Cup, were limping into the playoffs and there wasn't much hope in them getting far. Once Kuznetsov scored the OT winner to eliminate the Pens, that was first time there was a thought that this was the year. Holtby played out of his mind, the line with Kuzy, Ovi and Wilson was great all over the ice and the secondary scoring was always there.

[@jkliao6486]

@@misakikoko4500 As a short time Caps fan, how can you call that team limping into the playoff when we had a 11-10-1 to start the season and won the division anyway?

[@rt-rd5of]

Can you make a video on Holtby's eye movement?

[@davidrothschild8913]

Eller not Carlson.

[@TylerMorganShow]

Super!

[@BeastOfMetal1989]

.837 Sv% in the playoffs, huh? You might say he was young and a backup, I'll say it was the first sign that Grubauer implodes under pressure. He couldn't handle playoff hockey in Washington, he couldn't handle second round hockey in Colorado, and he can't handle being asked to drag a team out of the basement like Seattle did this year. Hence my (current, I'm not fully happy with it) nickname for him, Philipp Noobauer...