The Washington Capitals’ playoff dreams were dashed on Sunday as they became the first team eliminated from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, thanks to a decisive sweep by the New York Rangers. The Pittsburgh Penguins—whose own playoff hopes were snuffed out partly by the Capitals’ victory over Philadelphia—couldn’t resist adding salt to the wound, taking a jab at their longtime rivals on social media.
The Capitals barely clinched the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, fueling skepticism about their playoff readiness. Those doubts proved true, as Washington went down without a fight, failing to win a single game and leaving star Alexander Ovechkin with a lackluster performance: just five shots on goal and no points in the series.
While the Penguins weren’t playoff-bound either, they were quick to throw shade on Twitter. They dug up an earlier Capitals tweet—one that hinted at taking credit for Pittsburgh’s absence—and snidely responded, “Well, this didn’t age very well, did it?” It’s a pointed response to Washington’s social media antics after the Capitals celebrated their role in the Penguins’ elimination.
In a season where neither team will hoist the Cup, the rivalry remains heated as ever, with the Penguins savoring the Capitals’ quick postseason exit. The Rangers now advance, and Washington is left to reassess after a brief and forgettable playoff stint.
