The Carolina Hurricanes
Last but not least the team that ousted the Capitals in the playoffs last season. As much as things change they stay the same. While the expectations might have been raised this is still a good Canes team. It’s a fast team that can pressure you and we saw that a ton last spring.
That speed and pressure usually leads to Carolina controlling play. So far this season Carolina is in their usual spot at the top of the shot attempts percentage, right now they’re 54.77%. They also lead the league in scoring chance% at 55.41% having 779 chances for (tied for 4th) and 627 against (3rd in the league).
The Canes are sixth in the NHL in high danger attempts% at 53.78%. They’ve had 320 high danger attempts (4th) and allowed 275 (11th).
I don’t feel like I have to say too much about this team. If you’re a Capitals fans you know how this team plays and you surely remember the long stretches that the Caps had trouble keeping up. Maybe a rematch will bring out the best in the Capitals? Then again it could be a repeat of last season.
We have a long ways to go this season. We’re not even half way done with the 2019-20 season. Some of the teams we just mentioned might not even make the playoffs. That would probably be a good thing if you ask me.
The Capitals have a reputation of a team that can get outworked. We’ve seen it before and we’ve seen it recently. Based on reputation these are the teams that can cause the Capitals some trouble in April or May. Will they? Well only the future can tell us that, and as much as I’ve asked it won’t tell me what it holds.