Washington Capitals: 3 way too early 2021 bold predictions
Washington Capitals hockey is coming soon.
Even though we’re under a month away from Washington Capitals hockey it is still way too early to do predictions. That’s why we’re doing them anyway!
There is plenty of excitement surrounding the Caps this upcoming season and not just because they’re bringing back the screaming eagle in the reverse retro jerseys. Peter Laviolette is their new coach and he’s expected to change the culture inside the locker room back to a winning attitude.
The defense has also been retooled as they struggled the last two seasons. This retooling should help shore them up. Offensively we still have Alex Ovechkin as he chases Wayne Gretzky’s record.
#3 Ovi will still be going strong
Alex Ovechkin will pick up right where he left off before last season was paused. He’ll be a man on a mission in the final year of his contract which the team hopes to get a deal done during the season so he doesn’t hit the open market. In a 56 game season, Ovechkin has the potential to put up at least 30 goals. If he does that he’ll be in good shape for the Gretzky chase.
Now that we covered the great eight, there are two more predictions left. What will the goalie situation look like with no Henrik Lundqvist now?
#2 The backup goalie will be Vitek Vanecek
With the limited salary cap plaguing the team, they might not have a choice but to go with an in house fix for the backup goalie situation. The name they will go with will be Vitek Vanecek. Thankfully we know Ilya Samsonov is a good goalie and ready to take the role of starter. As for Vanecek, he has zero NHL experience. It’ll be an inexperienced tandom.
Samsonov will start at least 75% of the season while the other 25% will go to Vanecek. It’ll be much different than their time in the AHL together where they split the starts with the Hershey Bears. Last season Samsnov went 16-6-2 in 26 games played with a shutout. That includes a 2.55 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
In 2018-19 the two split the starts with the Bears. Samsonov went 20-14-2 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .898 save percentage while Vanecek went 21-10-6 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
Last season Vanecek split goaltending duties with Pheonix Copley in Hershey. Vanecek went 19-10-1 with a 2.26 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Copley on the other hand went 17-8-6 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
One more prediction left.
#1 The Caps will win the East division
There won’t be a Metropolitan Division this season with the new divisional realignment but that won’t stop the Caps from continuing their division winning streak. They’ve won the division for five straight seasons. That will continue for a sixth season in a row.
Let’s take a look at the new divisional realignments proposed by the NHL. There is rumors that the all Canadian division will fold and the teams that play there will play in the United States with the novel coronavirus issues.
Let’s assume the Canadian division stays. The Canada Division: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets.
The East Division: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and your Washington Capitals.
Central Division: Carolina Hurricanes (Thank God), Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Finally, the West Division: Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights.
Washington Capitals: Early 2021 expectations for Ilya Samsonov. light. More
Out of all the teams in the East, the toughest competition for the Caps will be the Penguins, Bruins and Flyers. Those are our top 3 bold predictions, what are yours? Let us know in the comments!