The Washington Capitals lead the Eastern Conference with a 20 - 6 -2 record and 42 standings points, second overall in the NHL.
The Caps have played in 28 games, three games less than league points leader Winnipeg Jets (31 GP, 43 points), and four less then Metro Division rival New Jersey Devils (32 games, 41 points), which means nothing really, but its fun to think about.
The Capitals and Devils finished their four game season series in November, with each team winning two games a piece. They will not meet again in the regular season. But maybe-- nope, too early to talk about. Whole lotta season to go.
The Caps beat the Columbus Blue Jackets last night to extend their franchise record road winning streak to ten games. Not to jinx it, but the all-time record is 12, held by the 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings and the 2014-15 Minnesota Wild. Next week in Dallas is the next chance to extend the streak.
Aliaksei Protas scored two goals (including the OTGW) last night in Columbus, giving him 11 goals on the year. Last season in DC, he had six goals and 29 points in 78 games. In 28 games this season, Protas has 26 points, which is a 76-point pace. Not bad for a 3rd round pick from 2019 who was graded lower by scouts due to skating issues.
Both of the Capitals minor league affiliates, the AHL Hershey Bears and the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays, are tops in their respective leagues as well. Signs of a competent and well-run organization. Seems to be a growing trend in the DMV.
Andrew Cristall was named the player of the month of November after scoring 31 points in 12 games for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. That’s 2.61 points per game. He projects as a top line winger in the NHL for the Caps, probably by next season. He was taken in the second round, 40th overall by the Capitals in the 2023 draft, after falling out of the first round due to skating issues.
The Capitals have a great skating coach in Wendy Marco.
Before this season, the Caps record without Alex Ovechkin in the lineup was 26-33. This year their record without the Great 8 is 7-3, six of those wins are road wins. Altough, I'm sure the team will be very happy to get their captain back on the ice.
Ovi is skating less than a month after he fractured his leg on November 18th in Salt Lake City. I bet he comes back on December 28th in Toronto to play the Maple Leafs. He loves playing in Canada.