On May 10, 2017, The Washington Capitals crushed the hopes and dreams of their fans by another second round exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

GM Brian MacLellan once announced that there was a two-year window where the Caps would really push hard for the Cup, and afterward, they would re-evaluate their team. Now, here we are two years later and we are still Cup-less. Next season, we may very well be looking at a new team since 11 players have expiring contracts. This season may be over, but Caps fans never stop.

Well, we don't stop for long. This loss was harder than the rest. We are usually sad and disappointed after our season ends, but this year, we were angry. Angry that we have been fed the mantra that "this year will be different" or that you will "change the narrative" only to have the same outcome. We were angry by the utter lack of enthusiasm or drive you showed in game 7. We were angry that you played so well in the regular season, earned the President's Trophy and then fizzled out.

We are tired of hearing about how much y'all choke and how Ovechkin disappears in the playoffs. We are tired of it, and I know you are tired of it. Mostly, we are tired and angry of you losing to yourselves because we both know that you are the better team. We don't think the Penguins beat you. We know the Capitals beat the Capitals and there's no way around that.

These last two weeks since the loss have been rough and most of the fans have threatened to abandon ship, but we won't. We won't because we love the Washington Capitals. We love the community we have built around you. The memes, the jokes, and that one person we all wish wasn't a part of our fan base, these things bring us together. No one else would listen to us debate over the worst trade (looking at you Forsberg, we miss you) or who our worst player is (we are stuck between Orpik or Carlson, sorry guys) You boys have some of the best fans even though we simultaneously curse at you, weep because of you, and cheer for you. No one else would understand the unique challenges that come with being a Caps fan.

We love you because the Washington Capitals are strong. You have shown your strength by repeatedly being a great team. Every year, you give us fans something to cheer for, you make the game exciting. Every year, you give the fans hope and almost make us forget about the post season struggles. You show resilience and strength every year. Not only are you strong, but we're strong too. We openly love a team that is ridiculed year after year. We openly love a team that has never won a Cup. We defend you because we believe in you, we still believe in you.

We even love the faces behind the Washington Capitals and all those we consider Capitals, although the jury is still out on Trotz. From ex-Capitals like Mike Green and Brooks Laich to free-agents like T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov, we will always consider them a Capital no matter what jersey they wear (except for Shattenkirk, you are not a Capital) because they played for us, they fought for us, and they felt each loss along with us.

Ovechkin, oh captain, our captain, we love you no matter how much crap you get and all we really want in life is to see you lift the Cup. Backstrom, we love and appreciate every beautiful pass that comes off your stick. We love him even more because he is obviously one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Every Caps player knows the struggles of the past and plays for a different future but rosters change and real Caps fans have watched players come and go and still love this organization.

My single most favorite thing about being a fan of the Washington Capitals is being a Washington Capital. I love calling all the players by their nicknames like I know them. I love rocking the red and unleashing the fury. I love keeping up with top prospects, trade rumors, and our affiliates (Shoutout to my hometown SC Stingrays). For the real fans, Loving you isn't even a choice anymore. We are far too invested, we have converted friends and loved ones, we have spent an absurd amount of money, and every season we come right back for more. I identify as a Washington Capital.

I love the Washington Capitals no matter how many wins or losses, no matter how different we look from year to year because I know one day (probably not next year, but one day) the Washington Capitals will lift the Stanley Cup. And on that day, when history is made, I will be able to say that I have loved this team through the rollercoaster that is known as the Washington Capitals.

So I wanted to say, we love you and see you next season. Go Caps!