The Washington Capitals have the roster and chemistry to make a serious run at its first-ever Stanley Cup. However, due to cap room, the clock is ticking on the current roster and that means it's Stanley Cup or bust in the 2017 postseason.
There's no sugar coating it. This season, if the Washington Capitals fail to win the Stanley Cup, it will be a massive failure for the franchise.
Since superstar forward and team captain Alex Ovechkin entered the league in the 2005-2006 season, the Capitals have failed to make a single conference final, let alone a Stanley Cup Finals. Despite having one of the best players in the league for the past decade-plus, the Capitals have never been able to get over the hump that is the Eastern Conference second round.
Jan 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Six times, the Washington Capitals have finished atop a division and six times the team has failed to even make the round prior to the Stanley Cup Finals. Another two times, the team has finished 2nd in the division with the same results.
It's been the one negative mark on Ovechkin's stellar, future Hall of Fame record. 900-plus games, 554 goals, 472 assists, 1025 points, but ZERO times holding Lord Stanley's Cup. Of course, Ovi can't be blamed for the lack of playoff success.
Every year has been something different. Lack of depth in the bottom six, lack of scorers outside of the captain, and sometimes it just comes down to running into a playoff team with more winning experience. Last year, the Capitals lost to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
A Ticking Clock
The current iteration of the Washington Capitals is on a ticking clock and this will probably be the last shot this roster has at winning a Cup together. Washington has multiple unrestricted free agents looming, including the team's top goal-scorer this season, T.J. Oshie.
Oshie, who has 30 goals along with 20 assists this season, has been an important top-six skater for these Capitals, especially in what has been a slightly down year for Alex Ovechkin. With his performance, Oshie will certainly be due a big pay day and there is uncertainty as to whether that pay day will happen via the Capitals.
Defenseman Karl Alzner and right wing Justin Williams, a guy who has been no slouch on the scoring front even at age 35, will be unrestricted free agents along with Oshie and their status with Washington will be uncertain as well considering the fact that the team will want to give big raises to restricted free agents Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky.
Dec 16, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Washington Capitals defensemen Karl Alzner (27) passes the puck before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Washington Capitals defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Both Kuznetsov and Burakovsky are great players destined for great futures with the Capitals, but the uncertainty surrounding high-profile veterans that have been big parts of the last couple years certainly increase the urgency in winning a Stanley Cup this June.
It's Should Be the Washington Capitals' Year
With 102 points through 72 games, this year's Washington Capitals clearly have what it takes to go all the way. The Metropolitan Division has been tougher than in years past, thanks in part to the surprisingly stellar play of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the team from D.C. has stayed true and continued to win.
The Capitals have been firing on all cylinders on every part of the ice. The goaltending from Brayden Holtby has been fantastic. He's posted a 37-11-6 record with a 2.05 GAA and a .925 save percentage. The defense has helped Holtby with that low GAA and the team ranks 1st in the NHL in goals against, allowing just 161 through 72 games.
The offense has come together even in a less-than-typical year for Alex Ovechkin. There are five skaters with 20 or more goals and the team as a whole ranks 4th in the league in goals, averaging 3.22 per game.
The post-bye week slump has been a cause for concern, however. The Capitals have gone 8-6-2 since the five-day break and Alex Ovechkin has scored just three times in those 16 games. Washington will look to get back on track and finish strong during these last 10 games, while also hoping that Ovi can find his form heading into the playoffs.
Whether the team holds off the Blue Jackets for the top spot in the division or finishes second, there will be no thought on the Capitals' minds other than a championship in June. It may be the team's last chance to lift the Cup with this roster and, if you ask me, it's time for Ovechkin to finally drink champagne out of that thing.
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