For followers of the Washington Capitals, the 2018 Stanley Cup win is changing into an more and more distant reminiscence within the wake of the mediocrity that has adopted since.
However they appear to be an altogether totally different animal below Spencer Carbery this time period, with a superb 28-10 (with 5 extra time losses) file after 43 video games propelling them to the highest of the Jap Convention.
In the meantime, over within the NFL, the Washington Commanders have reached the NFC divisional finals; their finest run within the postseason since 2005.
As for the Washington Wizards… effectively, two out of three isn’t dangerous.
Clearly, one thing is stirring within the capital. Might Washington’s dynamic sports activities groups deliver glory again to the state in 2025, beginning with the Capitals’ hopes of a 3rd Stanley Cup finals look?
Capital Punishers
Thrilling, entertaining, overachieving. The similarities between the Capitals and the Commanders are surprisingly sturdy.
Carbery’s group have introduced a fascinating offensive outlook to the NHL this time period, casting apart their struggles of 2023-24 to – on the time of writing at the least – sit in second place within the common season standings for targets scored per sport.
And but they’re nonetheless to file a shutout after 43 video games, which is a unprecedented feat for a convention chief.
That basically does echo the dynamic on the Commanders, whose offensive play has been riveting to look at, however whose defensive frailties – notably in opposition to a operating offense – have been laid naked on quite a few events.
That’s why the Washington franchise was nonetheless priced at +2800 within the Tremendous Bowl betting even after profitable their first playoff sport. Nevertheless, there’s little doubt that with some sensible defensive recruits through the off season, the Commanders may effectively contend for honors in 2025-26.
The Capitals, in the meantime, are solely thought of a +2000 probability to win the Stanley Cup in 2025, however the progress that they’re making with a younger, dynamic group and an revolutionary coach may see them kick on but additional in 2025-26.
So may or not it’s double-delight for Washington within the yr or so forward?
The Sharpest Shooters
Any doubts over the sustainability of the Capitals’ type might be kicked to the curb if you take a look at the effectivity of their offensive play.
They ranked second within the NHL for factors per sport after 43 outings, however maybe as importantly led the way in which in Capturing Share, an usually missed stat that reveals simply how environment friendly a group is find the again of the web.
There are, nevertheless, as many as eleven franchises which have yielded to fewer pictures per sport than the Washington outfit, whereas 15 goaltenders have been compelled into making fewer saves than Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, who’ve shared goalkeeping duties up to now.
Carbery’s aggressive ‘we’ll rating greater than you’ method is commendable, and explains why the Capitals have been amongst the very best groups to look at within the NHL this season. However in 12 of their video games – greater than 25% — they’ve conceded 4 or extra targets, and that’s a stage of defensive frailty that finally may price them a deep run within the playoffs.
Historical past Maker
For all of the discourse about Washington’s strengths and weaknesses, there’s one other issue that can’t be understated: the presence of Alex Ovechkin on the ice.
The Russian is now inside vary of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring file, having added his twentieth purpose of the season within the 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators earlier in January.
Alex Ovechkin has scored purpose No. 873! 🚨
22 targets to move Wayne Gretzky for many all-time.
— Ovechkin Purpose Tracker (@OvechkinGoal) January 12, 2025
That implies that Ovechkin is barely the second participant in NHL historical past to attain 20+ targets in 20 consecutive seasons, with Gordie Howe the one different particular person to match the 39-year-old’s feat. Nevertheless, the jury is out on whether or not he can reel in one other outstanding Gretzky milestone of two,000 profession factors, provided that the Russian remains to be 400 or so shy.
Both manner, he’ll must get shifting in his pursuit of recent data as his Caps contract ends on the fruits of the 2025-26 marketing campaign, when he’ll be 40 years outdated.
With out desirous to resort to cliché, Ovechkin is a sport winner; a participant with the power to provide you with a vital purpose at an important of occasions. That’s a talent set that’s most welcome in tight playoff video games particularly, so it will likely be all eyes on the Russian if/when the Capitals qualify for the postseason.
Washington haven’t gone previous the primary spherical of the playoffs since that fateful 2018 season, with their most up-to-date try ending in a 0-4 humiliation by the hands of the Rangers in 2024.
However with their new-found offensive model, and the continued majesty of Ovechkin nonetheless at giant, the Capitals can have far loftier ambitions this time round.
