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Burakovsky Becomes First From 2017-18 Capitals To Return To Stanley Cup Final

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Former Capitals winger Andre Burakovsky

Former Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky is getting his chance at a second championship title as he and the Colorado Avalanche head to the Stanley Cup Final.

In a thrilling Game 4, Artturi Lehkonen scored the overtime winner for the Avalanche, completing the sweep over the Edmonton Oilers to clinch the Western Conference title on Monday. Colorado will now make its first SCF appearance since 2001 when they topped the New Jersey Devils in seven games for the victory.

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Burakovsky, meanwhile, is the first member of Washington’s 2017-18 Cup-winning club to get a chance at a second Cup. Jakub Jerabek was at one point a member of the 2019 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues but chose to return to the KHL in May.

Through nine games in this playoff series, Burakovsky has dished one goal and four assists. If he isn’t scratched, this will be his second Final appearance. The 26-year-old had 22 goals and 41 assists in 80 games for the Avs this season. And, if the team wins four more games, he will become the first member of those 2017-18 Capitals to have his name engraved on the trophy again since then.

At Washington’s breakdown day, John Carlson acknowledged Burakovsky, saying he would be keeping an eye on him and Colorado and rooting for them in the postseason.