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 completely different animal beneath Spencer Carbery this time period, with a superb 28-10 (with 5 extra time losses) document after 43 video games propelling them to the highest of the Japanese 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… properly, two out of three isn’t dangerous.
Clearly, one thing is stirring within the capital. Might Washington’s dynamic sports activities groups carry 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 robust.
Carbery’s staff 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 no less than – sit in second place within the common season standings for targets scored per recreation.
And but they’re nonetheless to document 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 observe, 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 Super Bowl betting even after profitable their first playoff recreation. Nevertheless, there’s little doubt that with some sensible defensive recruits in the course of the off season, the Commanders may properly contend for honors in 2025-26.
The Capitals, in the meantime, are solely thought-about a +2000 probability to win the Stanley Cup in 2025, however the progress that they’re making with a younger, dynamic staff 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 12 months or so forward?
The Sharpest Shooters
Any doubts over the sustainability of the Capitals’ kind 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 recreation after 43 outings, however maybe as importantly led the way in which in Taking pictures Share, an usually missed stat that reveals simply how environment friendly a staff is to find the again of the online.
There are, nonetheless, as many as eleven franchises which have yielded to fewer shots per game than the Washington outfit, whereas 15 goaltenders have been pressured into making fewer saves than Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, who’ve shared goalkeeping duties to date.
Carbery’s aggressive ‘we’ll rating greater than you’ method is commendable, and explains why the Capitals have been amongst one of the best groups to observe 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 record, having added his twentieth aim of the season within the 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators earlier in January.
Alex Ovechkin has scored aim No. 873! 🚨
22 targets to move Wayne Gretzky for many all-time.
— Ovechkin Objective Tracker (@OvechkinGoal) January 12, 2025
That implies that Ovechkin is simply 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 remarkable Gretzky milestone of two,000 profession factors, provided that the Russian remains to be 400 or so shy.
Both manner, he’ll have to get transferring in his pursuit of latest information as his Caps contract ends on the end result of the 2025-26 marketing campaign, when he’ll be 40 years outdated.
With out eager to resort to cliché, Ovechkin is a recreation winner; a participant with the power to provide you with an important aim at a very powerful of occasions. That’s a ability set that’s most welcome in tight playoff video games particularly, so it is going to 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 fashion, and the continued majesty of Ovechkin nonetheless at giant, the Capitals can have far loftier ambitions this time round.
