Following practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday, Alex Ovechkin met with the media to discuss the Caps impending second-round matchup against arch-rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Immediately after the Capitals Game 6 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, Ovechkin said he “can’t wait” to play the Penguins in the second round. He elaborated on those comments on Wednesday.

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"It's just fun" #CapsPens #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/C7EyvsUl6K

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 25, 2018

“It’s just fun,” Ovechkin said. “That’s why we work so hard all year to be in this position. Obviously you want to move first round, second round, third, and fourth. It’s hard. It’s a big challenge for us, especially against Pittsburgh. There’s always a lot of attention to this series, and it’s fun.”

He was then asked several variations of the same question throughout the rest of the interview: “Why is this year different?”

Ovechkin’s first answer summed up our feelings to perfection. “I don’t know,” he said. “One day it have to happen.”

Headline photo: @Capitals