Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
I cried. I legitimately started to cry as I scream yes at the top of my lungs. This is something all of us as Caps fans have been waiting for. Something we’ve been hoping for. Something we knew could happen but were never actually sure if it would. It happened.
There is a lot to be said about how this team performed and how they overcame having three, count ‘em , THREE of their top six forwards out of the lineup. You need to know how big a part each one of those “new” guys stepped up. Nathan Walker, speeding around and feeding Chaser. Boyd winning faceoffs. Vrana playing like he was meant for the moment. But in the end it was the guy everyone has come to blame for our failures, however unfair it may be. Alex Ovechkin delivering a perfect pass to Kuzy’s stick who deked, opened up a five hole and scored.
Holtby, played like his nickname implies—a beast. Some will say that starting Grubi in the first two games of the playoffs was a bad move, but really I think it was the right move. It gave Holtby what he needed, whether it be rest or fire, it worked. He stood on his head and made the stops he needed. No softies. NO SOFTIES.
You guys know me, I’ve been a fan since I was a year old going to my first game sitting on the glass against the Flyers. I was hooked. My dream as a kid was to either A) Play for the Caps or B) Have season tickets. I have shared season tickets with my mom for 5 years and it has been a dream come true. I love this team and I have lived through the ups and downs, mostly downs, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because it made last night feel that much better.
Barry made the adjustments that I didn’t think he would. Those adjustments proved to be great. The staff drew up a great game plan last night with a weaker line up was something that SHOULD be recognized. All of the pieces fell into place and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Enjoy this Caps fans. Even if you are new, enjoy this because who knows when it will come again. And to you old timers—the people who have filed into seats at Capital One and US Air before, take the time to cherish this, bask in the glory knowing that we made it back to the conference finals. We know that this doesn’t come often. It happened 20 years ago—I was 10 and I’ll be honest I felt like I was 10 years old again last night.
I cried as I laughed by myself before I called my mom to say “I can’t believe it we won”. It was just the moment I’ve waited for since that last trip 20 years ago. The ride isn’t over but this feels good. This feels real good and I’m going to soak it in.
I’ll see you in Tampa Bay! LET’S GO CAPS!!
By Chris McIntosh
@CrhisMac