Revisiting the Best Moments From the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (VIDEO)
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost playoff time already in the NHL. Last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs certainly did not disappoint with all of its magical and moving moments both on and off the ice. From first-time champions to overtime thrillers, we can only hope that this year’s playoffs will be just as entertaining. Before the teams go head-to-head on the ice, let’s take a look back at some of our favorite moments from the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Filip Forsberg’s between-the-legs goal
Colorado Avalanches vs. Nashville Predators, April 12
To most, scoring a goal is hard enough as it is, but Nashville’s Filip Forsberg thought it was too easy. In game one of the first round of the playoffs, the Preds had to take on the Colorado Avalanches on their home ice in Nashville. With a 3-2 lead in the third period, Forsberg skated down the ice with the puck, sliding it in between the legs of an Avalanche defenseman and into the goal for a two-goal lead. A piece of cake, right?
Patrick Warburton reprises Seinfeld character
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils, April 18
If you’re a Seinfeld fan, this one’s for you. Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine’s inconsistent and Devils-loving boyfriend, Puddy, thought the Devils needed to get a little fired up before they took on the Lightning. Leave it to Warburton, who channeled his inner Puddy and showed up to game four as the ultimate Devils fan.
Sean Couturier’s late game goal
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, April 20
The hatred and bad blood between these two teams is completely mutual and extends across the entire state of Pennsylvania. These division rivals went head-to-head in the first round of the playoffs. Down in the series 3-1, the Flyers were on the verge of elimination when Sean Couturier scored the go-ahead goal late in the game from way downtown. The Flyers lived to see a game six, but, ultimately, fell short of tying the series.
Overtime win for Caps in game 5
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, April 21
With the series tied 2-2, game five went into sudden-death overtime. It was the Caps who won the game in a thriller, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom’s second goal of the game. After a win in game six, the Capitals advanced to the next round while the Blue Jackets suffered a season-ending loss on their own rink.
Honoring the victims of the North York crash in Toronto
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, April 23
A moment of silence that will be remembered forever: On April 23, a van drove onto the sidewalk that killed 10 and injured 15 in Toronto. Prior to the start of game six against the Bruins, the Maple Leafs held a moment of silence, followed by a stunning rendition of “O, Canada” that brought the entire community together.
Brayden Point’s dangler turned goal
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins, May 4
No Bruin could get in the way of Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point during game four of the second round. In the first period, Point gave his team an early lead thanks to a one-handed move around not one, but two Bruins to score an electrifying goal for the Lightning.
“The demons have been exorcised!”
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, May 7
Clearly, the Capitals love winning in dramatic fashion. In overtime, Alexander Ovechkin delivered a pass to Evgeny Kuznetsov who scored the game-winning goal, sending the Caps to the Eastern Conference Final and completely stunning the five-time Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Braden Holtby saves the game
Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights, May 30
The Washington Capitals were already down 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals and were holding on to a 3-2 lead in the game with less than three minutes to go. The Golden Knights were looking to tie it up to force overtime, but Caps’ goaltender Braden Holtby made a spectacular save on an otherwise wide-open net.
Washington Capitals win their first Stanley Cup
Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights, June 7
The 2018 Stanley Cup champion would have made history regardless of the winner: the Vegas Golden Knights were a first-year expansion team that had just entered the NHL. The Washington Capitals, on the other hand, had not won the Stanley Cup since they were founded in 1974. After five games, the Caps finally came out victorious after a 44-year winless drought.
