Washington Capitals: Breaking down the toughest opponents of 2019

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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) /

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) /

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) /

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.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Washington sees them: Feb. 2, 23, March 7, 22

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a different team boasting some turnover similar to the Washington Capitals. Though like one wouldn’t bet against Alex Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom, the same holds true for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 07: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals scores a goal against Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Capital One Arena on November 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Penguins will adjust to life without Phil Kessel, who was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for Alex Galchenyuk. The team also traded Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks for Dominik Kahun. Longtime center Matt Cullen retired, leaving behind a good legacy. The rivalry itself will also feel different without Brooks Orpik on the ice. The Penguins also signed Brandon Tanev from the Winnipeg Jets.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 07: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

I don’t see the Penguins as a team that could win the Metropolitan Division but rather be a wild card or finish up to third place. They can make the playoffs. The question facing them, like the Capitals, is can the veterans keep up with todays analytical flow of the game.

It’s going to be interesting seeing these two teams meet this late in the season after the All-Star Game festivities on Super Bowl Sunday seeing where they’ll be at. The Capitals four games against the Penguins will each fall on the weekend and will be circled by hockey fans everywhere.

New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 19: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates during the third period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on March 19, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Washington sees them: Dec. 20, Jan. 11, 16, Feb. 22

The new-look Metropolitan Division boasts a revamp of some old foes that look to get back to the playoffs and beyond. The New Jersey Devils made it to the playoffs fresh after the draft selection of top pick Nico Hischier in the spring of 2018 before a significant drop-off year in 2018-19. Now they’re one of the divisional foes the Capitals need to keep an extra eye on this season.

Even though their season was a disappointment, the Devils still won the lottery and used that pick to select Jack Hughes.

They also traded for P.K. Subban and signed Wayne Simmonds. Those two, along with a returning cast featuring Taylor Hall will give teams like the Penguins, Capitals and Hurricanes a run for their money.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 08: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against Egor Yakovlev #74 of the New Jersey Devils in the first period at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Capitals won three of the four meetings with the Devils last season but expect things to be more evenly matched. It will be a mix of veterans and youth and it’ll be those matchups with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom that’ll make these metro division games fun.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 06: Slapshot of the Washington Capitals and NJ Devil of the New Jersey Devils attend the NHL Hockey On The Hill Demostration in the Rayburn Foyer at Rayburn House Office Building on February 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The first meeting takes place in New Jersey just days before Christmas while the Devils come to Washington twice in the span of under a week in January.

New York Rangers

Washington sees them: Oct. 18, Nov. 20, March 5, 26

Just up to the north of the tristate area is a revamped New York Rangers squad looking to take the big apple by storm. The Capitals swept the season series last year, winning all four games but this Rangers team will be vastly different than the one that was out on the ice last season.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) is held back by the referee in the third period as New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) is restrained by linesman Brian Mach (78) on February 24, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Rangers were in the midst of rebuilding and now that rebuild has taken the next phase. The Rangers will be competitive in 2019-20 and soon enough, they’ll be similar to the Blueshirts team that would frequently meet Washington each spring.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: Neal Pionk #44 of the New York Rangers and Carl Hagelin #62 of the Washington Capitals battle for the puck in the first period at Capital One Arena on February 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The final meeting between the two had a thrilling finish even though both teams were going in polar opposite directions. The Manhattan contest went to a shootout and when it was Ovechkin’s turn, the Rangers goalie (of the future, perhaps) Alexandar Georgiev threw his stick at Ovechkin. The “interference”play was reviewed by the officials and awarded a Capitals goal.

The Rangers made some upgrades beginning with the selection of Kaapo Kakko at number two overall as well as the free agency signing of Artemi Panarin. Plus the goaltending tandem of young Georgiev as well as Henrik Lundqvist will make the Rangers a tough out in the metropolitan division.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington sees them: Nov. 29, Dec. 14, 21

Every time the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning go head-to-head, expect an offensive explosion. The Bolts are always a tough matchup for the Capitals from their fully-charged offense, to their young and talented goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who just got paid this summer making the market very interesting for Holtby.

TAMPA, FL – MAY 23: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals shakes hands with Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning after Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida.. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Vasilevskiy deserved his payday with a solid season leading the NHL with 39 wins. The ninth pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, Vasilevskiy went 39-10-4 last season with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.

The Lightning boasted three 40-goal scorers last season with Steven Stamkos leading with 45 followed by Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point each with 41. Kucherov led the league with 128 points.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 20: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a second period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena on March 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Lightning were the best team on the power play with a 28.2% success rate on the man advantage. Point led the Bolts with 20 PPGs with Stamkos right behind him with 19 and Kucherov with 15.

The Capitals went 1-1-1 against the Lightning last season and each team met in a thrilling seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Final a year prior. Washington dropped the first two games, the second being an overtime thriller at Capital One Arena before winning the finale. The Lightning are a tough opponent but a fun matchup nonetheless.

Carolina Hurricanes

Washington sees them: Oct. 5, Dec. 28, Jan. 3, 13

The Washington Capitals toughest opponent is the one who ended their season just a few months ago. The Carolina Hurricanes aka “Bunch of Jerks” are back and better than than the team that took the NHL by storm last season.

The Capitals swept the Hurricanes in the regular season last year, winning each of the four games including two late in the regular season. While the Capitals were the favorite on paper, the Hurricanes were possession darlings and their hot streak down the stretch just to get in the big dance did not make them intimidated going up against the defending Stanley Cup champs.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) makes a save in the second overtime on a shot by Carolina Hurricanes right wing Saku Maenalanen (8) on April 24, 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 Hurricanes added Patrick Marleau, Erik Haula, and re-signed Petr Mrazek and Sebastian Aho. The Hurricanes will give the Capitals and Penguins the biggest run for their money in the race to the top of the metropolitan division. In the end though, they may additionally be the toughest opponent in the playoffs once again.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) hits Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) in the first period on April 24, 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) /

After all, the spring was when the Hurricanes caught everybody off guard. After defeating the Capitals in double overtime in Game 7, they stunned the Barry Trotz-led New York Islanders with a four-game sweep in the second round.

Trending. Alex Ovechkin hints at possible retirement after 2021 season. light

These five opponents will be the toughest opponents for the Capitals in the 2019-20 season. Which opponents do you think will be the biggest challenge for the Capitals this upcoming season.

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