LAS VEGAS — June 7, 2018
In a night that will forever be etched in NHL history, the Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4–3 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, capturing their first Stanley Cup title since the franchise was founded in 1974.
Led by team captain Alex Ovechkin, who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, the Capitals finally put decades of heartbreak behind them. Ovechkin, long considered one of the greatest players to never win a championship — until now — lifted the coveted Cup in front of a roaring Vegas crowd and millions of fans watching around the world.
“We did it. It’s not a dream anymore,” Ovechkin said, beaming as he raised the trophy above his head for the first time.
The Capitals overcame a 1–0 series deficit and won four straight games to close out the Final. The victory ended a 44-year championship drought for Washington and brought uncontainable joy to D.C. sports fans.
Key Moments:
- Devante Smith-Pelly and Lars Eller scored crucial goals in the third period of Game 5, turning the tide after Vegas had taken a lead.
- Goaltender Braden Holtby made 28 saves in the win, capping off a stellar postseason performance.
- The Capitals' playoff run included series wins over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The celebration in Washington, D.C. was massive, with the city shutting down streets for spontaneous parades and fans gathering around Capital One Arena to honor their championship team.
🏆 Legacy Sealed
With the win, the Capitals not only broke a historic drought but also solidified Ovechkin’s place among the all-time greats. For a franchise and a fan base that had seen more than their share of postseason disappointments, June 7, 2018, will forever be remembered as the day the wait finally ended.
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