NHL playoffs 2018: Final bracket after Capitals beat Lightning

The Washington Capitals shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second game in a row in Game 7, catapulting themselves into the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in the Alex Ovechkin era.

Welcome to the unlikeliest Stanley Cup Final you ever did see.

In the West, we have the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, a juggernaut that has shattered every mark there is to shatter and is standing around looking for more.

Did you know that if you had placed a bet on the Golden Knights to make it to the Cup Final prior to the start of the season, it would have paid out at 500/1 odds? Sorry you’re not rich.

In the other corner — the West — we have the Washington Capitals, who have shed their label of choking in the postseason and ride triumphantly off into the sunset after blanking the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 on Wednesday.

Hockey is such a beautiful sport.

Here’s a look at your updated, and final, Stanley Cup Playoff bracket now that the final dance has its entrants locked in:

Raise your hand if you genuinely chose the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals to occupy those two slots above.

Not only raise your hand, but reach out to me. I want to talk to you. I also want you to tell me my future.

Because Vegas had the better regular-season record, the Golden Knights have home-ice advantage in this series, the first game of which will be on Monday, May 28. You can find the full schedule for the Final here.

And believe it or not, Vegas actually favors…Vegas.

No matter for the Capitals, though, who have been road warriors this postseason, including, you know, shutting out the Lightning at home in Game 7.

Buckle up. This ride is going to get wild.

Next: Each NHL Team's Biggest 'What if' Moment

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