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NHL playoffs 2018: Updated bracket after Capitals beat Penguins

By Michelle Bruton

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game winning goal during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Conference Finals. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: Washington Capitals Center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game winning goal during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals went on win 2-1 in the overtime period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Capitals won the series 4-2 and advance to the Conference Finals. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals staved off the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in overtime Monday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In a word, finally.

The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin — and the rest of his team, of course — will advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in his career after defeating the two-time defending Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.

The milestone is massive for Ovechkin, of course — one of the greatest to ever do it who has nevertheless never won a Cup — but tonight was Evgeny Kuznetsov’s time to shine as he netted the game-winner in overtime.

Here’s what the Stanley Cup Playoff bracket looks like with only the second team in the Western Conference Final left undecided:

Ovechkin was so overcome with emotion after the Capitals’ gritty win that he dropped an f-bomb on national television. Warning, this is NSFW:

Don’t worry, Ovi. We likely would have done the same.

The Capitals have earned this celebration. After all, they’re off to a conference final for the first time since 1998. Some currently players in the NHL weren’t even born then.

But Barry Trotz’s team will have to refocus and get ready to face an extremely dangerous team in the Tampa Bay Lightning, who dismantled the Big, Bad Bruins 4-1.

Oh, but by the way, these Capitals were playing without injured center Nicklas Backstrom. So, good luck, Tampa Bay, defending this team that takes a mile for every inch you give it offensively and has a goaltender in Braden Holtby who continues to prove to the world that he never, ever should have been benched.

Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs

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