3 changes that must happen for the Capitals in 2022

2. An edge

As I said in the last slide, Washington has gotten off to a great start this year, but it seems like a fire is fizzling out. It makes sense with injuries and the whole league dealing with COVID issues. But, it is something the team needs to figure out in 2022.

In recent games, you haven’t seen the same intensity. When we need that spark, the guys we look to are players like our trusted fourth line. Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, and Carl Hagelin have gone on small hot streaks this season but, as of late, have not been as big of an impact as we’d like to see. It is obviously not just on them, and many players can impact bringing an edge back to the Caps.

In 2022 the Capitals need to become that hard-hitting physical team that opponents hate to see. When Washington is most successful, they are physical, dominating, and overwhelm their opposition with skillful offense and punishing defense. Getting Tom Wilson back will obviously help this, but getting that fourth line going and reminding Aliaksei Protas how big he is, should help.