Stars and Sticks
Fansided

Greatest Washington Capitals Lineup of All Time

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 4: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates goal during a NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on December 4, 2008 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 4: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates goal during a NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on December 4, 2008 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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First Line

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 23:Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is greeted after scoring his second goal of second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Game 6 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena on Monday, April 23, 2018. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 23:Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is greeted after scoring his second goal of second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Game 6 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena on Monday, April 23, 2018. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

Left wing: Alex Ovechkin 2007-08

Center: Nicklas Backstrom 2009-10

Right wing: Peter Bondra 1997-98

The top left wing in Washington Capitals history is a no brainer and we still get to watch him for at least a few more seasons. There are many versions of Alex Ovechkin we can choose from but the 2007-08 was his best season goal scoring wise with 65 in his third NHL season. That year saw Ovechkin amass 112 points and 47 assists. Ovechkin took home the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP for the first of three times he’s won it in his career. Ovechkin’s 65 goals led the league and was the first of eight seasons Ovechkin has led the NHL in goals.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Brooks Orpik #44 and Alex Ovechkin #8 after scoring a goal in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Brooks Orpik #44 and Alex Ovechkin #8 after scoring a goal in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

It would be a crime to not include Nicklas Backstrom on the same top line with Ovechkin in the all-time greatest lineup. The 2009-10 season showed Backstrom’s full offense on display with a career-high 33 goals and 68 assists. If the Capitals didn’t have Ovechkin, Backstrom would easily be the face of the franchise, however, he just seems to like to keep it humble. Backstrom enters the final year of his contract and is just as vital to the Capitals success the way Ovechkin is.

2004 Season: Player Peter Bondra of the Washington Capitals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
2004 Season: Player Peter Bondra of the Washington Capitals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

Peter Bondra was the naturally gifted goal scorer the Capitals had before Ovechkin. That 1997-98 campaign saw Bondra lead the league with 52 goals including 13 game-winners. That season was the second time in Bondra’s career he reached 52 goals and was also the second time in his career that he led the NHL in goals.

A deadly first line beyond Capitals fans dreams that could score 150 goals. Imagine Bondra connecting with Ovechkin and vice versa.

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