Justin Williams proved the Capitals were serious. Washington’s veteran summer import boasted three Stanley Cups. He had won a playoff MVP award, and had scored countless memorable postseason goals. He had that reputation for shining in the darkest torture chamber of Washington’s hockey memory, known elsewhere as Game 7. What could be more serious than that?
That’s why Washington’s younger players were expecting a grizzled hockey icon preaching solemn lessons in How to Win, some sort of bearded Belichick in skates.
“Honest to God, I just had this picture in my head of Willy being this really old, serious vet,” Michael Latta said.