The Washington Capitals ended last season losing Game 7 to the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. Skeptics point to this loss as a typically Capitals way to end a season,especially after losing a three games to one lead. Optimists point to the fact that the Capitals were able to stretch the top-seeded Rangers to a Game 7 as proof that the team made significant strides under first year head coach Barry Trotz.
Both are true. The big question for Washington as another season approaches is, which is more true. To answer that question, and predict how this season will play out for the Caps, let’s analyze the five biggest storylines for this team.
First and foremost, for the second offseason in a row, general manager Brian MacLellan made aggressive moves to remake the roster.
After focusing on the blueline last year, the forward corps was in his sights this offseason. Power forward Joel Ward was allowed to join San Jose as a free agent. His loss was offset by the addition of Justin Williams, a three time Stanley Cup winner with a reputation for stepping up big in the playoffs. Mr. Game 7 is expected to give the Caps the playoff winning experience they have not been able to come up with as a team. Hard-nosed forward Troy Brouwer was traded to St. Louis, along with goaltending prospect Phoenix Copley, for American Olympic hero and shootout specialist T.J. Oshie. Also gone from last year’s roster are face-off specialist Eric Fehr and defenseman Mike Green, off to Pittsburgh and Detroit, respectively. So while the core of this team remains intact, it may take some time for the newcomers to find and fit into their new roles. It will be up to Trotz to make the whole thing work.
Secondly, another aspect to the Capitals’ new look roster is the increased roles some of the younger players will take on this season.
The biggest step up in role belongs to centerman Evgeny Kuznetsov. After an up and down rookie season, his production in last year’s playoffs (7 points in 14 games) suggests that Washington has finally found the second line center that they, along with about half of the other teams in the NHL, have been lacking for so long. The only problem is that he may start the season as the first line center. With Nicklas Backstrom still recovering from offseason hip surgery, the door is certainly open for Kuznetsov to open on the first line. He may be in over his head as a first line center, especially against the shutdown centermen of the league. Expect a steep learning curve until Backstrom can take the ice. While Kuznetsov will have the highest profile role to begin the season, expect big minutes from forwards Marcus Johansson and Andre Burakovsky, as well as defenseman Dmitry Orlov as he returns from a season lost to injury.
A third storyline to follow in the nation’s capital as the new season dawns is the goaltending.
Last year Braden Holtby emerged as one of the best goalies in the league, being relied on by Trotz to start 72 games last season. He was rewarded with a five year contract worth $30.5 million. The Capitals will rely on Holtby to continue his strong play, as last year’s backup, Justin Peters, is no longer with the club. Veteran Dan Ellis or the young Philipp Grubauer will fill the second goalie spot, but barring injury or ineffectiveness, probably will not see much ice time outside of practice.
The hope is that Holtby will not wear himself out before the playoffs, but considering that he started 13 of the 14 playoff games last year, expect Trotz to send him out there most nights.
Speaking of last year’s playoffs, the budding rivalry with the New York Islanders is definitely an interesting development. After a hard fought seven game series, both teams lined up and shook hands. Judging from the chippy play in their preseason matchup, however, they did not leave it all out on the ice last spring. Forward Tom Wilson should probably have his head on a swivel when the two teams finally face each other on January 7th. His season ending hit on Isles’ defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky still rubs New York players the wrong way. With the Islanders being an up and coming team, and boasting a great young center in John Tavares, they might wind up as a serious, physical and exciting rival for Washington.
The reloaded Penguins are not going anywhere, and as long as the Rangers continue to win playoff series neither are they, but a rivalry between the Caps and the team that will now play in Brooklyn could be fun for years to come.
While all four previous storylines could be interpreted as positive, one possible negative could be the Caps special teams units. Not the league-leading power play, but the penalty kill. Brouwer, Fehr, and Ward all logged big minutes killing penalties for Washington last year, and all are gone. The early games of the season, before Backstrom sees the ice, could be very interesting. Expect to see a lot of Jay Beagle, the blueliners to work extremely hard, and the numbers to not be very good, at least initially. A poor PK will not keep a team with this many strengths down, though.
This year’s version of the Washington Capitals is built to take a step forward from last season. With strong play in goal, a balanced blueline, and an upgraded top six, they should be better. Better than last year’s team and better than the rest of the Eastern Conference, are two entirely different things, however.
Expect this team to contend for a Metropolitan Division title, and possibly a birth in the Eastern Conference finals, but when it comes down to contending for a Cup? Show me a Game 7 win first.
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