Top 3 early Capitals observations

The Washington Capitals are in the midst of a four game road trip. Their record is 4-3-0. After starting the season in the bottom the Metropolitan Division, the Caps have caught steam and now are in fourth place thanks to two straight wins.

Those wins came from a come from behind third period comeback against the Los Angles Kings and a dominant performance on Monday night at the New Jersey Devils.

Here are 3 early observations from the young season as we’re just seven games in:

#3 Alex Ovechkin’s average start

Alex Ovechkin, look if you’ve read my work over the last seven years you know I love the guy, got off to a slower start than we’re all accustomed to. How slow?

The great eight only has three goals in the first seven games of the season. That included two in a comeback win over the Vancouver Canucks and one the other night in New Jersey.

To compare based on the last couple seasons, Ovechkin had eight goals in the first seven games last season. The 2021 COVID shortened season saw the great eight score three goals which is identical to the start he’s off to this season. The season before that saw Ovechkin score five in the first seven games.

Even though Ovechkin got off to a slow start, he’s due to heat up at some point. You may remember he went scoreless in the first three games in 2013’s lockout shortened season. This season is the second time that happened and we all know how the previous season ended. It ended with a Hart Trophy.

My point is, don’t panic yet about Ovechkin’s average start.