Caps exorcise ghosts of Pens

The Washington Capitals kept trying to downplay their own forgettable playoff history, the one pockmarked with disappointment and despair. Still, they couldn’t run from it.

No one bore the weight more than Alex Ovechkin. All the goals in the world — and the star forward is over 600 and counting — could not take the sting away from the endless cycle of postseason runs that ended far too soon.

“It’s so hard to move forward some time,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said. “It’s always thrown in your face everywhere you turn. I know it’s thrown in Ovi’s face everywhere he turns and he’s a great player in this league.”

One who is finally headed to a Eastern Conference final. The Capitals advanced there for only the third time since the franchise’s inception in 1974 with a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 6 against Pittsburgh on Monday night, a victory secured by Evgeny Kuznetsov’s breakaway 5:27 into the extra period .

“It feels like something is over,” Kuznetsov said. “It’s pretty hard to speak.”

Maybe because, for now anyway, Washington’s longheld role as playoff fodder for the Penguins is over. The Caps beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs for only the second time in 11 tries.

“I don’t want to lie, it tastes a little bit better (beating the Penguins),” Kuznetsov said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Now the Capitals believe they’re finally ready to move onward. The franchise has only reached the Cup finals once, getting swept by Detroit in 1998, long before Ovechkin, standout goalie Braden Holtby, et al., came on board. This is their best chance at the club, one they’re intent on not squandering.

The future, and Tampa Bay, awaits. Washington went 1-1-1 against the Lightning this season.

“We beat the Pittsburgh Penguins today and they’re a hell of a hockey team, and we’re only halfway,” Trotz said. “We haven’t done anything yet.”

Elsewhere in the NHL — The Carolina Hurricanes hired former captain and current assistant Rod Brind’Amour as their head coach. Brind’Amour captained the Hurricanes’ only Stanley Cup championship team in 2006. He replaces Bill Peters, who opted out of his contract last month following his fourth year and subsequently was hired by the Calgary Flames.

Team president Don Waddell will also take over as general manager after serving as acting GM.