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Devante Smith-Pelly

Devante Smith-Pelly helps Capitals win Stanley Cup with acrobatic equalizer, foreshadows not attending White House

Winger scores in three consecutive postseason games for the first time in his career as Washington, D.C., ends championship drought

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    2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Five
    Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
    Rhiannon Walker By @InstantRHIplay

    Devante Smith-Pelly threw caution to the wind discussing the possibility of the Washington Capitals visiting the White House before the team actually won Lord Stanley’s Cup.

    To quickly recap, this man spoke truth to power, went out in Game 5 and scored the goal that tied Washington with the Vegas Golden Knights, 3-3, hanging in midair like in The Matrix. That set up Lars Eller for the eventual game-winner. The Caps won the game 4-3, the series 4-1 and their first Stanley Cup — Washington, D.C.’s first major sports championship in 26 years.

    Smith-Pelly scored in three consecutive postseason games (the Capitals’ third goal in Games 3, 4 and 5) for the first time in his career. His seven goals during the postseason tied his regular-season total. In 24 postseason games, the right winger’s seven goals and one assist helped him finish with half of the points he recorded during the regular season (16).

    And to think some white fans in Chicago had the audacity to tell this man to go play basketball. Now he has a Stanley Cup, so how’s that karma treating ya? We know y’all are big mad.

    President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he would not invite the 2018 NBA champion to the White House after Cleveland’s LeBron James and Golden State’s Stephen Curry said their teams had no desire to go. As for the Capitals, Trump said: “I think we’ll have the Caps. We’ll see. You know, my attitude is if they want to be here, the greatest place on Earth, I’m here. If they don’t want to be here, I don’t want them.”

    Smith-Pelly has already said what he said regarding his visit to the White House — it ain’t happening.

    How does D.C. plan to celebrate its hero? Well, for the culture, it has been strongly suggested that Smith-Pelly sip Henny out of the Stanley Cup. Obviously, people have said he shouldn’t have to pay for another drink in the city. Others have offered chicken and mumbo sauce, because that’s the only way to express true love in the DMV. Maybe a crab boil in his honor would match the level of his achievement.

    People will get their chance to show love and see what Smith-Pelly drinks out of the Stanley Cup when the Capitals have their championship parade on Tuesday.

    Rhiannon Walker is an associate editor at The Undefeated. She is a drinker of Sassy Cow Creamery chocolate milk, an owner of an extensive Disney VHS collection, and she might have a heart attack if Frank Ocean doesn't drop his second album.

    This Story Tagged: NHL Washington Capitals Devante Smith-Pelly Vegas Golden Knights 2018 NHL Playoffs