Revisiting the 2018 Washington Capitals 

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

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.

Smith-Pelly was so clutch for us during our run

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

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.

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.

Ovi lifting the trophy will never get old.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Magical run, Ovi needed at least one

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Great year, pain ever since.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

That was a great year for us. #LetsGoCAPS

Such a good year.

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.

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

Love the picture of Bettman in the back.

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

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.

Best Stanley Cup celebrations of all time for sure

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.

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

Incredible topic Shannon.

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. 😢

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

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

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

the hockey guy is awesome!

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

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

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

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.

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).

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

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

Best hockey year ever

So happy Ovie got one

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

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.

Game 3 OT goal vs CLB was by Eller.

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

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

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

OVIE!!!

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)

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

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

Game 3 was 2OT and Eller got the winner…

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Vegas did kind of get swept after game 1.

Super!

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

Just happy they ended that bullcrap Vegas nonsense…

Eller not Carlson.

.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...