Washington Capitals: Top 5 predictions for next season

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 5
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Some early Washington Capitals predictions for next season.

The Washington Capitals will enter their 46th season when the NHL starts back up in 2021. Let’s take a look at some early predictions. The Caps will have a much different look from the top to the bottom with some familiar faces that departed and some newcomers looking to step in.

The Caps first made it known in the hockey world that changes were coming when they fired Todd Reirden after their second straight first round exit. They hired Peter Laviolette as the new bench boss. They also said goodbye to Braden Holtby and hello to Henrik Lundqvist as well as made a few defensive upgrades. Let’s break it all down.

#5 The season will be 48 games long

Let’s start with the number we’ll do this exercise with. The season will not go 82 games so I think a safe number will be a 48 game season. It will allow the season to run from January to July and end right in time for the Summer Olympics.

The NHL is exploring a variety of options when they return to play including short term hubs, realignment, and a reduced schedule. There’s been no word yet on an actual schedule annoucement.