The hot lap baton has been passed on once again.
Jay Beagle started the tradition, Alex Ovechkin took over in Round Two, Barry Trotz stepped up for a few games, and now Lars Eller has inherited the road superstition.
With no morning skate scheduled for Wednesday, Eller took his hot lap during Tuesday’s practice.
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Today’s hot lap brought to you by LARS ELLER 🐯🔥 pic.twitter.com/jWdyleSOOt
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) May 29, 2018
Eller completed his lap around T-Mobile Arena with just a tad more speed than Trotz. Unlike the Capitals head coach, he did not almost wipe out as he finished it off.
As for how the Capitals choose their hot-lapee, Eller remained tight lipped while speaking to the media following practice.
We know the origins of the ‘hot lap.’ We even know why/when it gets handed off. What we still don’t know is exactly how a new hot lapper is chosen…and Lars Eller wasn’t giving up the goods today. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/xJSHn8ZClG
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) May 29, 2018
“It’s a secret,” Eller said, with a beaming smile and a laugh.
Ovechkin first took over the hot lap in Game Six of the Capitals round two matchup against the Penguins. The Capitals eliminated the Penguins to advance to the Easter Conference Final, so the Captain continued the tradition until their first road loss in Game Five.
Trotz picked up hot lap duty for Game Seven in Tampa Bay, and Game One of the Stanley Cup Final. With the Capitals dropping Game One against the Knights, Eller will continue on the tradition for as long as the Caps win on the road. Here’s hoping Eller will be the last with the tradition in the 2017-18 postseason.
Headline photo: @NBCSCapitals
