The Washington Capitals are in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 20 years and the fanbase in D.C. is showing why we’re America’s Hockey Capital. As the Capitals took the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex for the first time as Eastern Conference Champions, a packed house awaited them.
Goalies Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer were the first to come out to the ice to a thunderous applause.
Here come the goalies. It is PACKED! #StanleyCup #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/j3XErc9TWl
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
Then came Dmitry Orlov.
Orlov is LOVING this crowd! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JwIQhSJLIe
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
The leader in scoring on the Capitals this postseason: Evgeny Kuznetsov!
Pheonix Copley, goaltender of the future enjoying the present.
The coach, Barry Trotz!
Michal Kempny and Brett Connolly.
Brooks Orpik has a Stanley Cup championship under his belt with that one team from Pennsylvania and looks to bring that experience to help the Caps to greatness this June.
Another big applause along with an ovation was in order for Alex Ovechkin, who will take the ice in his first Stanley Cup Finals game on Monday night. It’s been a long time coming for the team captain! His goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals 1:02 in turned out to be the game-winner.
A standing ovation for Alex Ovechkin! #StanleyCup #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/tCjNHFl97K
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
Andre Burakovsky, who scored two goals in Game 7 came out with two sticks.
Two goals in Game 7, two sticks and a loud ovation at practice for Andre Burakovsky #ALLCAPS#StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/X9hE9om3TH
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
T.J. Oshie aka Captain America! From the Olympics to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tom Wilson (“Willy Willy!”)
“DSP! DSP! DSP!”, Devante Smith-Pelly has become a fan favorite in his first season.
The fans also love Jay Beagle!
Even the scratches: Travis Boyd, Shane Gersich and Nathan Walker got some love and they deserve it!
The rest of the team came out and headed to the other rink to begin practice.
To the other rink with another big crowd awaiting them! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jg21VwfpHJ
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
Finally, listen to this crowd after the team stretched and huddled to end practice!
The huddle! Listen to this crowd! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/zy56umLQOn
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 26, 2018
We’ll have more from Kettler later so stay tuned to NoVaCaps.com for all your coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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