Rob Carlin brought to tears by Alan May’s heartfelt tribute during final Capitals postgame show

The Washington Capitals’ season wasn’t the only thing that came to a heartbreaking end Thursday with their 4-0 Game 5 loss to the New York Islanders. Their loss also meant the end of Rob Carlin’s tenure at NBC Sports Washington.

Carlin announced on Aug. 6 he was notified his contract would not be renewed with the network after nine years. But, he had agreed to work coverage of the Capitals’ pre-game and postgame shows during the NHL playoffs.

Carlin continued to provide his usual lead voice leading into Capitals games and afterwards each game day. However, as it appeared evident defeat was in store for the flat Capitals, reality set in that Carlin’s time was coming to an end.

Barring a miracle, this is gonna be the toughest hour of television I've ever done. Thank you #Caps fans for overwhelming support over the last few weeks. I've loved being a part of this fantastic organization and telling the greatest of their stories. Thank you for everything.

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinTBD) August 21, 2020

Following the eliminating loss, an emotional Carlin told the narrative through his voice.

“This is not the way we wanted this to end tonight,” Carlin opened Capitals Postgame Live. “I certainly did not want it to end tonight. They just came out flat, man. They were flat right from the start and just never had their game.”

Carlin opened the floor for discussion with his partner Alan May and analyst Grant Paulsen and former Capitals goalie Brent Johnson. Immediately, May touched on Carlin’s pending departure, giving an emotional tribute to his soon-to-be former colleague that brought Carlin to tears.

Alan May’s tribute to Rob Carlin is everything. Via @NBCSWashington pic.twitter.com/f7J7UNGV2e

— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) August 21, 2020

“Hey Rob,” May interjected. “I certainly didn’t want this to end. I have loved working with you every single second of every minute we have ever worked together. You have been amazing with me. I have been so difficult with you. I’ve challenged you to be better and I cannot believe how much you have raised your level. We won a Stanley Cup together. The funnest time of my life, whether I was a player or a coach, but mostly an analyst, I [got] to work with you, and we did so many incredible things together.”

Carlin responded by pounding his heart in a motion of appreciation of May’s heartfelt words. He also apologized for making the opening segment about him following the Capitals’ loss. Yet, it was hard not to interchange the two moments.

Carlin has been a mainstay with NBC Sports Washington’s coverage of the Capitals. He was there for the disappointing playoff exits of years past. He helped usher the emotions when the Capitals finally got over the hump and claimed their first-ever Stanley Cup title in 2018.

“It’s painfully emotional for me,” May added. “I love you. I’ve loved working with you. The game has hurt me tonight, but to not be able to work with you anymore is absolutely heartbreaking. So, I love you, I love your family, I love your children and I’m going to miss you.”

Paulsen, and Johnson along with Capitals’ play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati and game analyst Craig Laughlin added kind words towards Carlin throughout the show.

The Capitals suffered the loss. Coach Todd Reirden was outclassed by former Capitals coach Barry Trotz. Braden Holtby, arguably the greatest goalie in franchise history, may have played his final game in a Washington uniform. Yet, the night was about Carlin.

The loss was synonymous with Carlin’s imminent departure. The pain behind his final call gave more meaning to the Capitals’ lackluster run in the NHL bubble in Toronto. They won just one of their three round-robin seeding games. They got dominated for four of five games in their series against the Islanders and its former coach.

But many, if not all, Capitals fans’ thoughts and emotions were focused on Carlin leaving.