The Washington Capitals are the 2018 Stanley Cup Champions
The Capitals went into the third period trailing 3-2, but Devante Smith-Pelly scored at 9:52 and Lars Eller scored the eventual game-winner at 12:23 and Braden Holtby took it the rest of the way.
After 1,003 regular season games and 121 playoff games, Alex Ovechkin finally won his first Stanley Cup—becoming the first Russian captain to Cup in the process.
The Golden Knights were an unbelievably incredible story throughout the season, but they couldn’t stop the Capitals. Vegas won Game 1 on home-ice, but Washington went on to win four consecutive games.
To make things better for the Capitals, they became the first team ever to win the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. Shortly after hoisting the cup, Ovechkin and his teammates quickly took to the strip.
Ovie celebrating at @HakkasanLV last night. So epic. Go Caps! #ALLCAPS @dcsportsbog @EITMonline pic.twitter.com/HSB3DwMmiM
— Alex Price (@AlexAtJazz) June 8, 2018
Looking ahead, most of the Stanley Cup winning team is under contract for next season. John Carlson will be priority number-1, as the Capitals likely want to get their No.1 defenseman and future unrestricted free agent under contact as soon as possible. Michal Kempny, Jay Beagle, Alex Chiasson and Jakub Jerabek are their only other unrestricted free agents.
The Capitals already have eighth best odds to win the Stanley Cup next year—Vegas has the second best odds.
- Lightning — 9/1
- Bruins — 10/1
- Maple Leafs — 10/1
- Golden Knights — 10/1
- Jets — 10/1
- Predators — 11/1
- Penguins — 11/1
- Capitals — 14/1
- Oilers — 18/1
- Ducks — 22/1
- Blackhawks — 22/1
- Blue Jackets — 25/1
- Stars — 25/1
- Flames — 28/1
- Flyers — 28/1
- Kings — 30/1
- Wild — 30/1
- Sharks — 30/1
- Avalanche — 40/1
- Panthers — 40/1
- Devils — 40/1
- Blues — 40/1