Washington Capitals: Top 3 bold predictions for the 2021 season
Top 3 bold Washington Capitals predictions for 2021.
The 2021 season is upon us. Tomorrow the Washington Capitals will open the season with games against the Buffalo Sabres in back to back nights.
We now know what the goaltending situation will be like. Expect Ilya Samsonov to get the net for opening night while backup Vitek Vanecek will make his NHL debut on Friday.
The Caps have had over a week of practicing and two intrasquad scrimmages to prepare for a season like no other. Health and safety will continue to be a priority as we continue to fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. Here are my top 3 bold predictions for the season ahead.
#3 The Caps will dominate the East Division
The Caps have captured the past five Metropolitan Division titles including last year’s over the Philadelphia Flyers that separated the teams by one point. The Metro Division is always tough and the East will be even tougher with the realignment.
Even so, the Caps are still stacked and have the pieces in place to win the division for the sixth straight year. As long as the Caps can play like they did the first half of last season, they’ll be in good shape.
#2 Alex Ovechkin will score at least 35 goals
When I make predictions I am usually glass half full meaning I tend to look on the positive side of things. There’s a difference between a quiet confidence and cockiness and this year I’m cautiously optimistic about this year’s team. That being said, don’t bet against Alex Ovechkin. I sure wouldn’t.
Now don’t get me wrong, Ovechkin is getting up there in age but there’s no reason he still can’t dominate despite turning 35. Last season the great eight averaged 0.71 goals per game which were tied for the second best mark of his career.
Ovechkin was also tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins with 48 goals in 69 games. The last time there was a shortened season back in 2013, Ovechkin scored a league-leading 32 in 48 games. This year he’s got 56 games to work his magic and inch closer to the big record.
In the beginning of camp Ovechkin was taking reps on the top line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. Recently he’s been paired up top with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. Him and Backstrom connected on a goal in the second and final intrasquad scrimmage.
Ovechkin will score at least 35 goals, in fact he’ll score over. Let’s go with 39.
#1 Connor McMichael will make his NHL debut this season
We don’t know when but I’ll throw in a date with that prediction. We’ll see Connor McMichael on NHL ice this February. It is unknown whether or not the OHL will play hockey and get this, McMichael is still too young for the AHL. But yet he’s old enough to get NHL action and he’ll be on the ice soon.
Let’s hope it’s because we all want to get a look at him and not because of injury. McMichael possesses speed and a quick release. Plus he’ll be a youthful face on a veteran heavy lineup. After a breakout season last year with the London Knights, we’ll finally get to see where he’s at on an NHL stage.
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McMichael has been absent at training camp but for good reason. He was with Team Canada and led them to the silver medal at the World Juniors. In the tournament which spanned seven games, McMichael had four goals and four assists for eight points.
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McMichael recently arrived in Washington and is in mandatory quarantine before he can join the team. Like I said, expect his debut to come sometime in February. In the meantime he’ll probably be on the taxi squad.