#2 Healthy players
One year ago we all knew the Capitals would be starting the season without two of their biggest guys in Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. This year is a lot different. Not only are both Wilson and Backstrom healthy but so is most of the team.
The only two notable injuries thus far is Max Pacioretty and Evgeny Kuznetsov. With Kuznetsov, it’s not severe and he’s still on the ice. Pacioretty? We knew when the Capitals signed him that he wouldn’t be fully healthy to start the season. Having two straight achilles injuries will do that.
Pacioretty of course is not on the ice for training camp and Brian MacLellan said that there is no timetable yet for his return. When the Caps signed him in free agency it came with performance based incentives if he could play as much as possible. So if he needs more motivation to return, there it is.
Wilson feels great and not only did he get a full summer of training in, he also got re upped for seven more years after this season. It was very important for both sides to get a deal done.
Backstrom being out there on the top line is very inspiring for anybody looking to make a comeback. And he’s done talking about his hip.