Heading into Wednesday night’s Game Seven, the Washington Capitals had not made the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years, spanning the entire Alex Ovechkin Era in DC. Caps goaltender Braden Holtby, who has backstopped the team during many of its second round exits, shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning in Games Six and Seven to push the team to the championship round.

He cried while posing for a team photo with the Prince of Wales Trophy.

Holtby felt the love from his teammates as TJ Oshie held him and Brett Connolly patted him on his shoulder.

Oshie later gave Holtby some kind words as they got up.

It’s been a long journey for the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan goaltender. Holtby has appeared in the net for 77 playoffs games, posting an incredible .930 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average. Despite his incredible stats, Holtby had never been able to make it out of the semifinal round until 2018.

The emotions were real.

Photo: @NHL

“You’re doing great, babe.”

Full Coverage of Game Seven