Capitals Advance to First Conference Final in 20 Years after Topping Penguins in OT

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Finally, the Washington Capitals have slayed the beast of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Evgeny Kuznetsov pluck the puck loose. Alex Ovechkin corralled it and got it ahead as Kuznetsov charged down the crease to beat Matt Murray 5:27 into overtime to send the Capitals past the Penguins to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1998.

KUZY'S GAME WINNER IN OT!! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/HfYXfHMKYy

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 8, 2018

Silence rushed through PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh as the sounds of jubilation between the Capitals players and their bodies tapping the glass made the scene more beautiful for every Washington Capitals fan. Kuznetsov added to the scene with the sprawling his arms out to fly the Penguins home.

With the Capitals’ 2-1 overtime win they clinch the second-round series 4-2. They end the two-year reign of the Penguins, while becoming the first D.C. major pro sports team to advance to a Conference Final since it was the Capitals who did it back in 1998.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS – YOUR WASHINGTON CAPITALS ARE HEADED TO THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/1l7Vs0AgFM

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 8, 2018

Washington teams were a collective 0-13 in games in which they needed one win to advance to the final four of their respective leagues.

But, that curse is over thanks to a Capitals team that refuse to quit. They did so when they fell into a 0-2 series hole in the first round against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They regrouped with confidence and won the next four games to advance to a rematch with their archnemesis. Then despite losing Game 1 at home, the Capitals took four of the next five to end a 20-year drought that engulfed the city of Washington as well as give Ovechkin his first playoff series win over Sidney Crosby.

Dunno how you could not feel just great for this dude pic.twitter.com/txchTGx8ZC

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) May 8, 2018