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Washington Capitals: Breaking down the toughest opponents in 2019

By Michael Marzzacco

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his 50th goal of the season with teammates and against goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 30, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his 50th goal of the season with teammates and against goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 30, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 01: Washington Capitals Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (8) jumps into the glass after scoring the game winning goal during the third period. The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 01: Washington Capitals Left Wing Alex Ovechkin (8) jumps into the glass after scoring the game winning goal during the third period. The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The 2019-20 season is right around the corner and the Washington Capitals are poised for another crack at the Stanley Cup.

But they aren’t the only ones. Teams all across the NHL got better this offseason and some of these teams will present a challenge to the Washington Capitals. The Metropolitan Division is more competitive, which will make things tricky for the Capitals in their attempt at a fifth straight division title.

We’ll start within the division where there were plenty of changes throughout. The Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers each got better this offseason. The Hurricanes are the most likely of the trio to challenge the Capitals for the top of the Metropolitan Division.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates after scoring in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 20, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates after scoring in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 20, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Penguins, of course, are always a dangerous opponent. Like Washington, they had to tweak their bottom-six forward depth after trading Phil Kessel. The Capitals and Penguins are still the two teams in the Metropolitan Division with the biggest targets on their back and 2019-20 will be no different.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 20: Washington Capitals goal tender Braden Holtby (70) makes a second period save on shot by Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Adam Erne (73) on March 20, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 20: Washington Capitals goal tender Braden Holtby (70) makes a second period save on shot by Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Adam Erne (73) on March 20, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Outside of the division, there’s the Tampa Bay Lightning. A team that dominated throughout the regular season last year and only looks for a stronger run this year.

Let’s take a look at each opponent who could be the toughest matchup for the Capitals.

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