ANALYSIS/OPINION:
Washington has only played in the Stanley Cup Final once, in 1998. And to get there, the Capitals needed someone to step up and plant the franchise’s flag in virgin territory; To claim something that to that point had exceded their grasp. The Eastern Conference championship.
With the Capitals and Buffalo Sabres tied, 2-2, in overtime of Game 6, Joe Juneau told coach Ron Wilson before the extra period started, “I’ll be Neil Armstrong.”
Then, the college graduate with the aeronautical degree went out and scored the winning goal.
Juneau was the Capitals’ first and only player to walk on the moon, so to speak.