T.J. Oshie Honors Father Suffering From Alzheimer’s; Caps Win Cup

The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Capitals first Stanley Cup, Thursday in Las Vegas. But, the T.J. Oshie postgame interview tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.

In the mad scramble after the Stanley Cup is awarded, the media feeding frenzy is more akin to an elementary school fire drill. Order and the tightly buttoned players break down and chaos reigns. Veteran Pittsburgh sportscaster Alby Oxenreiter has become famous for sprinting across the ice on live television chasing players for a moment, but occasionally a player unintentionally adds even more emotion to the dream-fulfilling moment.

Last year, Penguins goalie (and 2018 Vegas losing goalie) Marc-Andre Fleury nearly broke down when the finality of his long Penguins career came rushing into reality.

That paled in comparison to the sad yet triumphant sentiment expressed by the Capitals power-forward Oshie.

Oshie’s father is one of an estimated 5.7 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

Well okay, I guess I’m shedding some tears tonight for a team and player I don’t follow or really care about. #oshie pic.twitter.com/bIUq46afGF

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) June 8, 2018

Even casual fans were smacked with the reality.

Here is a link to The Alzheimer’s Foundation for more information and charities.

Capitals Win First Stanley Cup

While the Oshie interview may be slightly overshadowed at the water cooler by an amorous female fan (Sorry, we’re including it. We don’t need those clicks), the Capitals first Stanley Cup championship will forever alter the balance in the Metro Division.

The Capitals overcame a 3-2 third-period deficit to beat the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3, in Game 5. After losing Game 1, the Capitals ran the table to win the Stanley Cup Final in five games. No Metro Division team except the Pittsburgh Penguins has won the Stanley Cup since the Carolina Hurricanes won it in 2006.

In one moment, the Capitals broke decades of frustration and failure. And, after beating the Penguins in Round 2, the Penguins-Capitals rivalry now has a new, and real equality dynamic.

Alex Ovechkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP). Ovechkin had 15 goals and 12 assists in 24 playoff games, including five points (3g, 2a) in the Stanley Cup Final.

This is out there now, but Ovechkin and his wife are expecting their first child. She was on the ice tonight with her sister and father. Fans were congratulating her and Alex on the pregnancy.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 8, 2018

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, who began the playoffs on the bench behind Philipp Grubauer, but gained the net after Grubauer stumbled in Round 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Holtby started 22 playoff games and appeared in 23 of 24 games. Holtby was 16-7 with a .922 save percentage and 2.16 goals against average.

Capitals fourth liner Devante Smith-Pelly, who entered the political fray by voicing opposition to President Trump on Wednesday, scored the tying goal, midway through the third period. Smith-Pelly scored as many goals in 24 playoffs games (7) as he did in 75 regular season games. He will be an RFA after the season.

Third line center Lars Eller will go down in history as the player who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal. Eller had 38 points in 81 regular season games, but the Capitals third line center was a beast in the playoffs, as well. Eller had 18 points (7g, 11a) in 24 post-season games.

And, a few Vegas casinos are breathing easier today. They stood to lose millions because of the Golden Knights long odds at the start of the season. The house always wins.