Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly (25) celebrates his goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Count out Devante Smith-Pelly if the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup and are invited to the White House to celebrate with President Donald Trump.
"The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist," Canada's Postmedia quoted Smith-Pelly as saying Wednesday as the Capitals prepared for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights. "Some of the things he's said are pretty gross. I'm not too into politics, so I don't know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don't agree with. It hasn't come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up."
Smith-Pelly, one of two black Capitals players, is from the Toronto area. He spoke two days after Trump canceled the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House, and a day after NBA stars LeBron James and Curry both said they wouldn't visit.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and can hoist the Cup on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old Smith-Pelly has scored in the last two games of the finals and had six goals - two of them winners - and an assist in the playoffs. He had seven goals in 75 games in the regular season.
___
More Stanley Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/StanleyCupFinals
Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly (25) celebrates his goal as he skates past the Vegas Golden Knights bench during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Associated Press
Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly (25) scores a goal past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Associated Press
FILE - At left, in an April 19, 2018, file photo, Washington Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly plays against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Game 4 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff game, in Columbus, Ohio. At right, in a file photo from the same game, Capitals' Michal Kempny plays against Columbus. Forward Devante Smith-Pelly was bought out by New Jersey, and defenseman Michal Kempny was relegated to a third-pairing role or a healthy scratch by Chicago. Each playerâs career was in danger of being over. Then the Capitals signed Smith-Pelly last summer and acquired Kempny at the trade deadline, hitting on the kind of moves every Stanley Cup contender tries to make as theyâve been a big reason of putting the team on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
The Associated Press
Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly (25) scores a goal past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Associated Press
Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly (25) scores a goal past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Associated Press
Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly arrives for Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, Monday, June 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
The Associated Press