Lead NBC Sports play-by-play announcer Doc Emrick said the two likely Conn Smythe Trophy candidates for the Stanley Cup Playoffs were "wearing No. 8 and No. 29," referring to Ovechkin and Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who won the Cup three times with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017) and was selected by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
"The real feel-good story is Fleury," analysist Mike Milbury said. "Here he is. A championship-caliber goalie and all of a sudden he is on the outs with a young goaltender in [Matt] Murray pushing him out the door (in Pittsburgh). Even while he is being slid out the door, he's still helping them win Stanley Cups [in 2016 and 2017]. Then he gets a chance to reinvigorate himself in a new franchise and he just gobbled it all up. It's great to see ... he's never played any better than he's playing right now."
With two players having won the Cup -- Fleury and Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik with the Penguins in 2009 -- it's a new experience for most players.
"Having the great privilege of having been through the grind and getting my name on a Stanley Cup, this is what you work for your whole life for these opportunities," said Olczyk, who won the Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.
Olczyk gave credit to Vegas general manager George McPhee for putting together the team.