Washington Capitals: Finally A Stanley Cup Year?

Yes, we say it every year, “This is our year.” This may be the season we’re finally right.

I’m sure you’ve already read plenty of articles on why this is finally the Washington Capitals year. Posts like these run on a yearly cycle, uploaded in the beginning of the season and then later right around the end of the regular season.

This time, however; it’s genuinely different. If this isn’t then year… we may have to worry about it NEVER being our year.

The Washington Capitals have never had a better shot at a Stanley Cup than they do this season.

Washington Capitals

Unbreakable defense and The Shattenkirk Effect

It’s not often that the league’s best team makes the biggest move at the trade deadline. The move for Kevin Shattenkirk addressed possibly the Capitals only need, defensive depth. Rather than just filling that need with a 3rd or 4th fringe defenseman, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan acquired a No.1 to bolster what was already a virtually unstoppable team.

With a defensive core now held down by Niskanen, Carlson, and Shattenkirk;the Capitals have a deadly mix of offense and defense from the back-end. The addition arguably puts the Capitals D-corp at the top of the league.

Shattenkirk, one of the league’s deadliest power-play orchestrators has slotted perfectly on the Capitals first power-play unit. His impact won’t be undermined for the remainder of the season and the playoffs, providing the Capitals with possibly the last piece needed for a Stanley Cup run.

Brick wall at the back line

This season’s defense is unlike one we’ve ever seen. Even better, is the Capitals goal-tending.

Braden Holtby is a constant contender for the Vezina trophy and he will continue to be for a long-time. After winning the award last season, Holtby is on pace to earn his second in a back-to-back.

Holtby is currently leading all goal-tenders in GAA (1.91) and Shutouts (8). He is the only eligible goal-tender in the league with a GAA under 2, the next lowest being Devan Dubnyk at 2.03 GAA.

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Holtby’s SV% is fourth in the league, at .930. Back-up Philipp Grubauer isn’t far behind with a .927 SV% and 2.11 GAA. In his 17 games played, Grubauer’s stats put him among the NHL’s elite starting goal-tenders.

Goal-tending hasn’t been a concern for the Capitals since Holtby’s emergence in the last few years. With added support on defense and an elite-level back-up we could see teams struggle to score on the Capitals, rather than relying on having to outscore them.

(Nick Backstrom’s) Washington Capitals Offense

Let’s all admit it, Ovechkin just hasn’t been the same. The always underrated Nick Backstrom however, has taken the reigns on the Capitals offense. His 64 points put him at 8th in the league, only 8 point shy of leader, Connor McDavid.

Ovechkin, still 22nd in league scoring, hasn’t just become irrelevant. His scoring is significantly down however.

Ovechkin has tallied at least 50 goals in the last three seasons. In 63 games played this season, Ovechkin has only scored 27. For him to reach the 50 goal-plateau for the 4th consecutive season, he would have to score 23 goals in only 19 games.

The Washington Capitals have still managed to be the league’s 2nd-highest scoring offense, even without Ovechkin scoring at an unreal pace. That’s because this Capitals team is jam-packed with stars.

Going down the list, Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Oshie, Johansson and possibly Williams are capable of breaking the 50-point barrier this season.

Consistency is important for the Capitals come the postseason. A team that manages to be in President’s Trophy contention every season, then get eliminated in the playoffs; the Capitals must stay on track.

Kuznetsov, as pointed out by Chris Oddo of Fanrag, was a major reason why the Capitals failed last season. After being the team’s leading point-getter, Kuzentsov scored a total of two, count ’em TWO, points in the postseason.

A Stanley Cup could make or break Alex Ovechkin’s legacy. In the season in which he has what looks to be his best opportunity however, he won’t be the main key.

Next: Capitals Beat Devils In Snooze Fest

The Washington Capitals have all the right pieces to make this their year. Whether or not they can keep up their consistent play, time will tell.

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