Ovechkin, Capitals Bring More Than Stanley Cup Hopes to Washington, D.C.

By James Proctor // @j49proctor

The Washington Capitals have lived with Stanley Cup hopes since the 2008 -2009 season. Over the past ten seasons they have won three President's Cup trophies (Awarded to the NHL Team with the best regular season record) only to be bounced out early in the playoffs each time. This season there were some who thought that they wouldn't even make the playoff. Still, others believed that they should have been shopping Alex Ovechkin to rebuild the team entirely. There were times this season when coach Barry Trotz had to rely on as many as six rookies to help the Capitals continue their playoff streak. Once they made the playoffs, they found themselves down 0-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Falling behind in the first round series led them to make a goalie change before game three. This change would be the first of several sparks needed to get them into the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. It had been 20 years since the Capitals had made a finals appearance, but a game seven victory in the Eastern Conference Finals had changed everyone's outlook!

Stanly Cup Finals expectations have been linked to the development of Alex Ovechkin as one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time. He currently ranks 19th in NHL all-time scoring. He also ranks 5th overall in regular season goals per game. His career trajectory wasn't always certain. Detractors thought he lacked the maturity to have a long career. These detractors were more confident that he would never be worthy of the Captain's C on his Hockey Sweater. The critic's voices reached a crescendo when he a was signed to a 13 year 124-million-dollar contract in 2008. Even then NBA Commissioner David Stern weighed into Ted Leonsis saying, “I thought you were a smart guy, and that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.” Ten Years into the deal, Ted Leonsis wishes it could have been a 15-year deal. All Ovechkin has done in that time frame is lead the League in scoring six times and win two NHL MVP awards. A Stanley Cup win may finally silence all but, his most ardent critics. Could his career mirror that of John Elway? Winning two Super Bowls at the end of his career, ended all doubt of his greatness.

When Alex Ovechkin was drafted number 1 overall in the 2004 NHL Draft, he changed the Washington Sports Culture. Washington sports fans finally had a player that fans in other cities would envy. It's hard to believe that in his first year the Capitals were the 5th best draw on the road and the 27th at home. It might have taken longer than it should have for local fans to realize what they had but, once they did they packed our downtown arena. Now you can tell its game night by seeing the throngs of fans wearing Ovechkin gear spilling out of Chinatown subway stations, restaurants, and bars.

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The Capital's success with Ovechkin, has had an impact on the other Washington professional sports teams as well. The fanfare surrounding Bryce Harper's arrival in Washington was amplified by Ovechkin's prior success. The same could also be said, for his arena mate John Wall. It could also be noted, that his greatness may have led to the Washington Football team into going all-in on RG3. For a while, Washington sports fans relished seeing these potential superstars and other young stars Bradley Beal, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon all in one city. Then the expectations, far exceed the results and, a community-wide sports malaise was established. Again, it was up to Ovechkin to set the tone. He scored the first goal and, the only needed goal less than two minutes into game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Could that shot have ushered in an era of Washington sports dominance? The Capitals and Nationals are going to be very good for years to come. Are the Wizards one trade away from title contention? On the football side, the tunnel is long, but we may be seeing a glimmer of light. This town needs a victory parade badly. Even if the Capitals fail don’t find your tonic at the bottom of a glass find it on the mound at Nationals Park. Max Scherzer maybe the most significant free agent signing in Washington sports history. Let’s Go Caps!

Photo credits: Rukus/Getty (top image); Washington Caps/Twitter