Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Dear, Alex,
It took 13 seasons, but you finally got there. After all that you have done for the Washington Capitals franchise and the city of Washington D.C., you have finally advanced to a place in which you have never skated before. And through it all, you have done all you can do to help your team get there. So I’d like to say thank you.From the moment you stepped on the ice on October 5, 2005, you took the NHL by storm, scoring with seeming abandon and dishing out hits with the best of them. From your first NHL goal to your 600th, you have given an effort that few could match. So many doubted your and the Capitals’ ability to get past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, something that has been the death of this team so many times since your first playoff appearance in 2008.

In your 109 career playoff games, you have scored 54 goals and added 51 assists for 105 points, numbers that reflect your drive to win the ultimate prize. In the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, you have put up 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 12 games played and there is likely more to come.

For the past two seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins ended the Capitals’ season, despite seemingly two strongly-constructed rosters and it seemed only fitting that you were credited with the primary assist on your fellow countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov’s game-winning goal in overtime!

What was even more satisfying for longtime fans who have endured all the playoff hardships with you and some even before you arrived, was the unquestionable joy on your face as you conducted your postgame interview with Hockey Night in Canada. And because of all your efforts, I just want to say congratulations, and most importantly,

Thank You Alex, enjoy this moment and know that we stand behind this team! You’ve earned it. This is your time and your year.

By Michael Fleetwood