Washington Capitals: Top 5 greatest disappointments of 2021

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Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals got off to a good start in 2021 before some members of the team were disciplined for violating COVID-19 protocols. Later on in the season, two members of the team were back on the COVID list and many believed that was one contributing factor to another first round flameout for the third consecutive season.

No matter what mainly contributed to it, all these moments we’ll talk about here culminated in that first round defeat in another disappointing season. It’s time to take a look at the worst of the worst starting with getting fleeced by Steve Yzerman, again.

Anthony Mantha, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

#5 The Jakub Vrana for Anthony Mantha trade

Perhaps one of the moments that divided the Caps fan base was when they traded away Jakub Vrana for Anthony Mantha. At first it looked like the Caps won the trade. Mantha scored in four straight games, making franchise history.

After the four game stretch, Mantha cooled off and looked slow out there on the ice compared to the speedy Vrana. He also had trouble staying out of the penalty box in the playoffs. Vrana meanwhile had eight goals in 11 games with the Red Wings including a four goal game against the Dallas Stars.

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