Washington Capitals: Top Five Reasons They Made The Playoffs

 Reason #4 The Washington Capitals Made The Playoffs: Power Play

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Capitals didn’t do much well in 2013-2014. However, one of the very few things that they did well was execute on power plays. In 2013-2014, they had the second most efficient power play in the NHL with a 23.4% power play percentage. While Barry Trotz changed a lot of things about the Washington Capitals, one of the very few things that he has generally left alone has been the power play. It paid off. The Capitals currently have a power play percentage of 25.3%, which is the best in the NHL.

The Washington Capitals power play is truly a thing of beauty. I can’t recall something that is so predictable, yet so unstoppable. The Capitals power play has always ran through Green and Nicklas Backstrom getting the puck to Alex Ovechkin. That part has certainly not changed. However, it’s now in ever better shape than it was last year thanks to some minor improvements. 

The biggest improvement has actually been Ovechkin. He has become much better at getting open and creating chances not just for himself, but others as well. Not only that, he’s been even better at shooting the puck. Despite teams knowing that he’s going to get the puck and teams shadowing him, the rare times that teams forget about him, he tends to make them pay. Despite having less time on the power play this season, Ovechkin has 24 power play goals (the same amount as he had last season). He has higher goals per 60 minute and points per 60 minutes rates on the power play than last season.

The Washington Capitals have also gotten power play production from Troy Brouwer (eight goals and 14 points), Joel Ward (five goals and 10 points), Evgeny Kuznetsov (four goals and 12 points), Backstrom (three goals and 32 points), Marcus Johansson (three goals and 15 points), John Carlson (three goals and 15 points), and Mike Green (a goal and 17 points).

Sometimes, no change is the best change that can happen.

Next: Reason #3: Improved Defense