Top 3 early Capitals observations

#1 No more injuries

This is less of an observation but more wishful thinking. The Capitals cannot afford any more injuries. It was bad enough they began the season without Nicklas Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, and Tom Wilson. Now they’re dealing with a long term absence of Connor Brown who was supposed to take over for Wilson at the first line right wing position.

There is some encouraging news. Although the Caps got off to a slower start than we’re all used to, me and some friends agree that once 43 is back in the lineup, expect the Caps to go on a hot streak.

That hot streak could be similar to the Pittsburgh Penguins start to the season, who by the way are a MUCH older team than the Capitals. That’s why I say the Pens will start to cool off eventually. When that happens, expect the Caps to heat up.

Anyway the encouraging news came from today’s practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex before the team flies to Texas. Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reported that Tom Wilson (ACL surgery) and Nicklas Backstrom (hip resurfacing surgery) were skating for the first time since their respective injuries.

That skate occurred just briefly and they won’t skate again for another few days. They aren’t truly ready to resume full skating yet but this is the first step in the rehab process. Expect Wilson to be back around the holidays.