3 ways the Capitals can bounce back in 2022

#1 Killer instinct

If the Caps ultimately want to bounce back in 2022, they have to re find their killer instinct that helped them win the Cup in 2018. That team had it. This season it’s still too early to tell. There’s some instances where they had it and other times where they did not.

I’ll give you an example of missing a killer instinct which would be costly if it were to happen mid spring. One instance came on Nov. 30 on the road against the Florida Panthers. In that contest the Caps blew a 4-1 lead to lose 5-4 in regulation. Want a more recent example? We got Dec. 19 against the Los Angels Kings where the Caps blew a 2-0 lead to fall 3-2. That was before we went on a pause.

If the Caps are getting it over with, get it over with now, because games like that where they blow big leads won’t fly in the playoffs or in the home stretch of the regular season. They need to play a complete 60 minute game and not be afraid to take their foot off the gas pedal.

They came into this season as the oldest team in the league. With injuries and COVID issues, they have a mix of youth in the locker room as well. It should be an interesting 2022 seeing how far they go.