Washington Capitals: 2015 Was A Year To Remember

The 2015 Bridgestone Winter Classic

Washington D.C. finally played host to one of the most anticipated individual games during any given NHL season. It was four years to the day after the Washington Capitals traveled to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh in their very first Winter Classic appearance. It was only a matter of time before D.C. hosted their own, and they did so in a big way.

They hosted a talented Chicago Blackhawks team that would eventually go on to win the Stanley Cup six months later. In a thrilling game that did not disappoint, the all-time leading outdoor goal scoring leader in the NHL, Eric Fehr, added another tally which moved him to three over the course of his career. A hungry Alexander Ovechkin followed suit, scoring his first career outdoor goal and coming oh-so-close on several other occasions throughout the game to adding another.

After a comeback by Chicago, a former teammate of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and several other current Blackhawks played hero for the home team. Troy Brouwer scored on a turnaround wrister with 12.9 seconds remaining in the game to break the tie and win the game for the Washington Capitals. It was certainly one of the more exciting moments of the season for the Caps, and given all of the fanfare and hype around the game, one of the more exciting moments in franchise history.

Next: 50 Again

Alex Ovechkin hits 50 goals for the sixth time

Alex Ovechkin had another great year in 2015, winning his fifth Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the NHL while hitting 50 goals for the sixth time in his career. It was yet another dominant year for the greatest goal scorer of his generation.

Ovechkin transformed into a complete player in his first year under Barry Trotz. Trotz has even gone as far as to admit that his initial opinions of The Great Eight were incorrect, and that the Capitals captain has his full trust.

Ovi is visibly a more complete player, clearly dedicating himself more to defensive play than ever before in his career. He has completely bought in to Trotz’s system, and so did the entire team in 2015.

2015 was more of the same for Ovechkin – just doing what he does best, scoring goals better than anyone else in the world.

Next: Two Demons, One Stone

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Washington Capitals defeat the New York Islanders (and Jaroslav Halak)

After a down year in 2013-14 where the Washington Capitals missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2006-2007 season, the Caps made their return to the postseason in 2015. From an outside perspective, there were several themes heading into the series between two long-time foes, including decades-old memories of playoff series past, or that two closely matched divisional rivals would be taking each other on in what was sure to be an eventful series.

But if you were a Capitals fan, there were two things on your mind.

“Please don’t let it get to game seven.”

“Halak.”

In a back and forth series that had its appropriate share of chippy moments just as in years past, the Washington Capitals found themselves once again in a do-or-die game seven. And it just so happened that both of those scary themes in the heads of Capitals fans everywhere suddenly came to a head.

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With the end of the game nearing, our fingernails become shorter and shorter. Of course game seven would be tied 1-1 with just under ten minutes remaining in the third period. The hockey gods would have it no other way.

Evgeny Kuznetsov would continue his emergence as a young star by scoring the go ahead, and eventually game-winning, goal against the Capitals mortal enemy Halak. They had effectively overcome two overbearing narratives that were beaten into the ground heading into the series. But, what did Barry Trotz think of those same themes?

This is a new group,” said Capitals coach Barry Trotz, via Puck Daddy. “All that old stuff? Get rid of it. Let’s build something. We could feel the energy [from the fans]. We weren’t going to let that game go.”

Hint: He is exactly right.

Next: Another Blown Opportunity

Capitals fall once against to the New York Rangers

Not every story has a happy ending, and the Washington Capitals found that out yet again when they faced off with the New York Rangers for about the one-thousandth time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After the joy and jubilation that came with a game seven win over the Islanders, many believed that this might just be the Caps’ year. They could finally beat the Rangers, ride the high through the Eastern Conference Finals, and then there would be nothing stopping a hungry Ovechkin and his Capitals.

With a somewhat shocking 3-1 series lead, it was looking like that was almost a certainty. However, as we know, nothing is certain with the Washington Capitals. Midway through the third period, a trade deadline acquisition, Curtis Glencross, became a hero after scoring his first goal of the playoffs. The Caps hadn’t moved past the second round of the playoffs since 1997-98, when they made their one and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance. It was just another demon to defeat, and Glencross had done it. Or so we thought.

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A game-tying goal by Rangers forward Chris Kreider with just 1:41 separating Washington from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals would send Washington into an overtime session, still with a chance to move on. Glencross tried to play hero again.

He saw a streaking Brooks Laich on his right, moving along the boards waiting for a pass that could have sprung him on a rush towards Henrik Lundqvist to end the series. Instead, his pass was blocked, sending play the opposite way where a series of passes ended in a slap shot from Ryan McDonagh which beat Braden Holtby, allowing the Rangers to live to fight another day. Glencross had played the hero, and then the goat.

The following game six ended in a blowout, yet again leaving the Capitals in a familiar place heading into game seven. It was here where Derek Stepan would end those hopes, once again leave the Capitals hanging their heads, wondering what could have been. It was by far the most shocking, painful moment of the season for the Washington Capitals, especially given how close they had come.

Next: An Offseason to Remember

2015 NHL Draft/Free Agency

The Washington Capitals headed into the 2015 NHL Entry Draft with the 22nd overall selection in the first round. Nobody seemed to really know what the gameplan would be for the team heading into this draft, but it was clear that general manager Brian MacLellan knew exactly what he wanted.

He selected Russian netminder Ilya Samsonov, a surprise at the time, with the 22nd pick, and thus solidifying the future of the Capitals in net for at least the next ten years and probably more. Samsonov has been very impressive in the KHL this season, and although he is still several years away from the NHL, looks like he has a chance to become an above average or better goalie in the future.

The Caps then selected Swiss defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler late in the second round, who looks like a player with quite a bit of upside. Washington had traded away a second and third round pick earlier in the season to acquire Curtis Glencross. Despite the lack of quantity, Washington appears to have gotten quality out of their two early round picks. Free agency was soon to follow

Almost exactly one year to the moment after inking former Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen to long-term deals to bolster the blue line of the Washington Capitals, MacLellan turned his focus to his forwards. He knew that because of who departed in free agency on July 1st that he would have to add a top-six forward to help put his team over the top. Instead, he went and got two.

He signed Justin Williams to a bargain of a contract as the first day of free agency winded down. This was an exciting moment that came as a bit of a surprise to many, who thought that Williams would sign for big money elsewhere. Instead, he signed with a team he thought could compete for a Cup, and because his son wanted him to play with Alex Ovechkin, which is the most adorable thing in the entire world.

Less than 24 hours later, MacLellan finalized a deal with the St. Louis Blues that exchanged Winter Classic hero Troy Brouwer, goaltending prospect Pheonix Copley, and a 2016 third round draft pick for current top-line winger T.J. Oshie.

It was probably one of the more exciting 24 hour spans in franchise history. Brian MacLellan had already endeared himself to Caps fans with his signings the prior offseason (Niskanen more so than Orpik), but put himself on another level with his moves during the 2015 offseason. It is worth mentioning that he also signed defenseman Taylor Chorney, who has seen significant minutes in place of the injured Orpik.

It was a very eventful offseason for the Washington Capitals, and one that certainly left them in better shape than they were in just days prior.

Next: Worth the Wait

The emergence of Evgeny Kuznetsov

It seemed like the Washington Capitals waited forever for the promising young Russian to come to America after being selected 26th overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. There was probably a point in each of our minds that wondered if we would ever actually see him in a vibrant red Capitals sweater.

That day came as the 2013-14 season came to a close, but Evgeny Kuznetsov truly arrived during the 2015 calendar year. Kuznetsov had 13 points in the final 17 games of the 2014-15 regular season, which turned out to be a major chunk of his total points on the year.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we witnessed his further transformation into a superstar. In his first playoff experience, he scored 5 goals and 7 points in 14 games. It was a coming out party for Kuznetsov who has continued his hot play into a new season.

He has exploded in the first half of the 2015-16 season, sitting with 33 points in 36 games, tied with Alexander Ovechkin for the team lead. His ceiling seems to be continually rising, as he dazzles with some of the quickest hands and dirtiest moves in the league, coupled with a lethal shot. He could be even better than anticipated when he was rated as one of the top prospects in the world just a few years ago.

At 23, Kuznetsov is not done getting better. and that is scary. Him and Nicklas Backstrom will form one of the most formidable center duos for years to come.

Next: The (Holt)Beast

Braden Holtby emerges as one of NHL’s top goaltenders

Washington Capitals fans have watched Braden Holtby impress since his NHL debut on November 5, 2010. He earned the full-time starting goaltender role in 2012-13, though former coach Adam Oates seemed to do everything he could to derail the progress Holtby had made over the course of his young career.

Barry Trotz and goaltending guru/coach Mitch Korn have allowed Holtby to be himself again, and it is working out in everyone’s favor.

He played in a career-high and league-high 73 games in the 2014-15 season, going 41-20-10. To start the 2015-16 campaign, he has gone an absurd 24-4-1 through December 30th’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres. He leads the league in wins, and is very near the top in the two other major categories, Goals Against Average and Save Percentage. He is solidifying himself as a favorite for his first Vezina Trophy.

2015 has been kind to Holtby as an individual, too. He is an extremely rich man after signing a five-year, $30.5 million contract extension in July. There is no doubt that he is “the guy” in Washington, just as he should’ve been all along.

2015 was great to both the Washington Capitals and Braden Holtby, but it is within reason that 2016 could be even better.

Next: A Hot Start (And Finish)

Washington Capitals jump out to franchise-best start in 2015-16 season

The Washington Capitals have built on a successful first campaign under Barry Trotz to explode out to their best start in franchise history in the 2015-16 season. As of this writing, they sit with a 12 point cushion in both the Metropolitan Division over the New York Rangers and the Eastern Conference as a whole. They are also the top team in the league, leading the Western Conference leading Dallas Stars by one point with two games in hand.

All of the prior events of 2015 have seemed to lead this Capitals team to where they are right now. They are a Stanley Cup favorite with quite possibly their deepest team ever. Everybody is contributing, and it seems nobody can stop the Caps.

Although they will face a bit of adversity over the coming weeks due to injuries to several key players, the Washington Capitals are in a great position. Hopefully, everybody will be back in good time and ready to make 2016 even better than 2015.

Let’s take a moment to remember our 2015 Capitals, whether it was the joy or the heartbreak, one of the most memorable years we have had as Caps fans. Here’s to hoping 2016 will bring even greater things.