Tuesday night, the St. Louis Blues advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since the 1969-70 season where they were swept in four games by… the Boston Bruins.
But I want to focus on happier times. I want to re-remember what happened a year ago today.
On May 21, 2018, the Washington Capitals forced a Game Seven in the Eastern Conference Final after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0.
In front of one of the loudest crowds in Capital One Arena history, TJ Oshie scored twice, Devante Smith-Pelly scored once, and Braden Holtby stopped all 24 shots he faced in the Capitals’ first potential elimination game of the 2018 postseason.
Full game highlights
Here’s RMNB’s full coverage of Game Six. Explore it. Now.
Let me set the scene. The Capitals won the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final in convincing fashion. A Capitals Stanley Cup appearance seemed likely… guaranteed even. And then the Caps lost three consecutive games. Game Six felt like it could be the nail in the coffin. More bad luck for DC Sports Teams.
iNsTeAd… After 35 minutes of scoreless hockey, TJ Oshie got the Capitals on the board first with a powerplay goal with 4:48 remaining in the second period. Nicklas Backstrom found Oshie wide open in the slot. The Osh Babe one-timed the puck into the back of the net. The crowd went absolutely insane.
In the third period, the Capitals’ fourth line gave the team some badly needed breathing room. After some fantastic forechecking by Jay Beagle and Chandler Stephenson, Lil Steve found Smith-Pelly driving the center lane with a perfect pass. DSP connected for his fourth goal of the playoffs, giving the Caps a 2-0 lead.
It was at this moment everyone believed again, including this local news anchor.
TJ Oshie would add an empty net goal sealing the deal. Here is Peter’s recap.
So how loud was it at Capital One Arena that night? Check out John Walton doing his final call of the game from the radio booth. Walton called it the loudest night on record to that point.
VIDEO: Watch (and try to hear) @WaltonCaps final call as the #ALLCAPS beat #GoBolts 3-0 in GM6 of East Final @CapitalsRadio pic.twitter.com/96DG9fz330
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) May 22, 2018
After the game, Capitals fans chanted We Want The Cup on the National Portrait Gallery Steps.
One year ago today…
Caps defeated the Lightning 3-0 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final to tie the series at 3. pic.twitter.com/VVibmDFeDv
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) May 21, 2019
What a magical night. So much intensity.
