Top 10 Capitals moments of 2021

We are in the middle of a pause in the NHL season. Let’s just hope this one won’t be as long as the last one. In the meantime we can reflect on what the Washington Capitals have done this year and look ahead to what’s next when hockey returns. Knock on wood things will be back between Christmas and New Years.

It’s been a roller coaster of a year. We celebrated being able to attend games in person again, had a season’s worth of the Zdeno Chara experience, watch Alex Ovechkin do his thing and climb up the scoring ladder and watched kids get a chance to live out their NHL dreams. Let’s take a look at the best of the best.

#10 Zdeno Chara’s first Capitals goal

It was really cool having Zdeno Chara on the Capitals even though it only lasted for one season. His leadership helped retool the culture and his size and presence on the ice was unmatched.

The Capitals took on the New York Islanders on Jan. 28 and overcame a 3-0 deficit with six unanswered goals. Five came in the second period. Two came from Conor Sheary. Garnet Hathaway joined in on the fun as did John Carlson while Tom Wilson sealed it with the empty netter. However, it was Chara’s first and only goal on home ice that I remember the most that came at 18:30 of the second period.

The best part? Chara skating to the bench to group hug his teammates, his towering size and all.