There's no guarantee Washington wins the cup if they win tonight. Thus, any elimination game in the SCF ( Sorry they aren't losing to Ottawa) will be the biggest. Why is tonight's game 7 any different than the choke job vs NY in 2015? That went 7 games..
If Washington wins tonight but loses in the cup final, how will people look at them? Will they be congratulated for finally getting past round 2? Will others hold it against them for not winning a cup? Personally, I don't think getting a worst draft pick and losing in the SCF is any better than being swept in round one. Your either first or last. That's just me.
People will still look at them the same way. The opinions of most people won't really change all that much. I assume the Caps fans will think more highly of him and the team, but they will be disappointed in not having a cup.
Generally people just create loftier expectations when ann expection gets fufilled:
They lose this game - "OV and WSH are still chokers"
They win this round, but lose the cup - "Well they didn't win the cup, so who cares, they suck"
They win the cup - "Well Sid has two, so OV still has a long way to go to prove hes great. He has to bring them back again."
The narratives can always be used to hate or elevate players no matter what. There is a group that thinks OV sucks, and until he passes Gretz' goal record, that probably won't change. Might not even then.
I think Prime OV is the most skilled/explosive players I've ever seen, and yes I watch Plenty of Sid/McD. I really want him to win the cup, maybe even if he's playing my Oilers in the finals. Just my opinion, feel free to hate on it. There is a difference between skill and greatness - see A-Rodgers vs T-Brady