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Washington Capitals: Power ranking the metropolitan division

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) congratulates goalie Braden Holtby (70) after the game upon winning the Metropolitan Division during the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL hockey game April 4, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) congratulates goalie Braden Holtby (70) after the game upon winning the Metropolitan Division during the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL hockey game April 4, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: (L-R) Tom Wilson #43, Alex Ovechkin #8 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrate Wilson’s goal at 6:23 of the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: (L-R) Tom Wilson #43, Alex Ovechkin #8 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrate Wilson’s goal at 6:23 of the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Washington Capitals

Michael Marzzacco

1st place – A lot of teams in the Metropolitan Division got better but despite this, the Washington Capitals will still win the Metropolitan Division.

While the Capitals didn’t sign any big names like some of their other foes, four division titles in a row is no accident. There was some roster turnover but for the most part, the core is back to give it another kick at the can.

The Capitals also retooled their defense to make it an upgrade from the previous year thanks to the bottom six additions of Richard Panik, and Garnet Hathaway as well as defenseman Radko Gudas. Even though the preseason hasn’t even started yet, I can’t imagine any other team ending Washington’s four-year Metropolitan Division reign.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: Fans wave their lights prior to Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: Fans wave their lights prior to Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images) /

David Trice

1st place – The Capitals for the most part will be returning a formidable top six and a revamped bottom six with a new mindset of improving team defense, which besides the lack of secondary scoring was the biggest hole on the team.

Provided the defense is improved lack of a bottom six scoring presence, a la Brett Connolly, it will be easier to handle. The greatest threat to overthrow the Capitals as division champs is the Islanders and Hurricanes.

Andrew Gillis

1st place – In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

The Capitals had a quiet, but very productive offseason with the additions of Richard Panik, Garnet Hathaway and Radko Gudas. As the four-time defending Metro Division champs, it’s hard to argue that any team has surpassed them this offseason.

With Alex Ovechkin and Co. still on the roster, it’s tough to envision the Capitals falling out of first place. At least, for the time being.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 18: Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals chase a loos puck in the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 18, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 2-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 18: Justin Faulk #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals chase a loos puck in the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 18, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 2-1. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Ben Little

1st place – I know how biased this looks, but I also don’t think many others will disagree. Washington has been at the top of the Metro division for the last four seasons and have lost few critical pieces to their team.

They lost veterans, Brooks Orpik to retirement and Matt Niskanen to trade, who are far past their best days of playing hockey as well as Andre Burakovsky who never reached his full potential as a Capital.

They still have Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, T.J. Oshie, Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson to make up for it. They do have their issues that need to be worked on, however, I still feel the Washington Capitals are the best team in the Metropolitan division.

RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Washington Capitals fans wait for the team to take the ice for warmups during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals on April 15, 2019, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Washington Capitals fans wait for the team to take the ice for warmups during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals on April 15, 2019, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

CJ Witt: 1st place 

1st place – They’re still the best team in the metropolitan division. To me, honestly, it isn’t even really that close. This is a team that has won the metro division four years in a row and it’s not that hard to figure out why.

Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson, Jakub Vrana, Lars Eller,  John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov and Braden Holtby. Some key players from previous division titles (and Stanley Cup) have moved on but that is a group any team in the National Hockey League would love.

On top of being the best team in the division on paper this could be their last great shot at the Stanley Cup. The Capitals are having some salary cap issues and both Backstrom and Holtby both need new contracts after the 2019-20 season. Ovechkin needs a new contract after the 2020-21 season also.

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