Devante Smith-Pelly emerged from the Capitals’ locker room on exit day, his hat pulled down to slightly cover his eyes. He stared straight ahead for a moment at the rink, one that he didn’t get to skate on as much as he expected to this season – and one that he may not see for a while moving forward.
The 26-year-old wasn’t the loudest or the first to talk at exit day, often shifting his gaze to watch the floor and occasionally glance at the scrum around him, but he didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment, especially after an odd year and only getting to be back up with his main club for three games to end the first round.