Twenty years ago, I remember staying up until the wee hours of the morning hoping the Caps could dispatch the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs. Instead Petr Nedvěd ripped a pedestrian shot through traffic to beat Olie Kolzig. After nearly 120 minutes of hockey that night, the Caps lost. The next day I failed my middle school quiz.

Now we’re here. The Caps have lost seven of their eight playoff series all-time against the Pens, but this team is a different breed. The Caps, who “ain’t afraid of no ghosts,” must go through the second best team in the East and the team that has had its number so many times in the past to reach their ultimate goal. The franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

RMNB reader Sean Morrow will now get you pumped up.

Puck drop is at 8 PM tonight.

Let’s go Caps!