2018 Sports E-Cylopedia Star of the Year

Alex Ovechkin

After years of frustration, the Washington Capitals have finally won the Stanley Cup, as their superstar Alex Ovechkin finally fulfilled his promise of carrying Washington to the promised land. Along the way, the Capitals had to slay multiple dragons. In the first round, the Capitals lost the first two games at home and needed a 3-2 win in double overtime to avoid falling behind 3-0 against the Blue Jackets. The Capitals would go on to win the series in six games. Next up was the Penguins, whom Washington beat for just the second time in 11 playoff meetings as Evgeny Kuznetsov got the game-winner in overtime in Game 6. In the Eastern Conference Finals Washington won Game 7 on the road, with Braden Holtby getting shutouts in the last two games. They then went on to beat the Vegas Golden Knights in five games as Alex Ovechkin won the Conn Smythe with 15 goals in the postseason.