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Washington Capitals: Top 3 reasons to get excited for 2019

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON DC - JUNE 4: Capitals fans stand cheer the their team taking the ice for the start of the game during the Washington Capitals defeat of the Vegas Golden Knights 6 - 2 in game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals to lead the series 3 game to 1 in Washington DC on June 4, 2018. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON DC - JUNE 4: Capitals fans stand cheer the their team taking the ice for the start of the game during the Washington Capitals defeat of the Vegas Golden Knights 6 - 2 in game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals to lead the series 3 game to 1 in Washington DC on June 4, 2018. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: (L-R) Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils, Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals, coach Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes and coach Paul Coffey react from the bench area during the Metropolitan Division and Pacific Division match-up of the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: (L-R) Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils, Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals, coach Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes and coach Paul Coffey react from the bench area during the Metropolitan Division and Pacific Division match-up of the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Staples Center on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#3 Alex Ovechkin continues to chase greatness

Alex Ovechkin continues to defy both age and father time. Many fans across the NHL wonder if the Great Eight will do the same in 2019-20. As we’ve seen both across the DMV and globally when Ovechkin was recently in China, he’s made an impact across hockey fans worldwide.

Ovechkin will turn 34 at the start of the preseason. His son Sergei is already a year old. Father time is undefeated but Ovechkin is in an epic death match with it. And winning.

49 goals before leading Washington to the Stanley Cup and adding a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name and then a 51 goal season the next year, expect Ovechkin to continue to lead the Capitals in what could be the last full year with the strength of the core.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 06: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes off his jersey to give to a young girl after the final game of the season as part of the Fan Appreciation Game after the New York Islanders vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game April 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 06: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes off his jersey to give to a young girl after the final game of the season as part of the Fan Appreciation Game after the New York Islanders vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game April 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With 658 career goals and numbers rising up, it’s looking more and more likely that it’s possible Ovechkin can catch Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. It looks unbreakable on the surface but maybe not at the rate Ovechkin is going.

Expect to see Ovechkin continue to lead the next two seasons and enjoy the ride. It could be the last time we see him, Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby on the same roster. A core we grew up with could be splitting up as soon as next summer.

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