2015-16 record: 56-18-8 (120 points)
Lost to Pittsburgh in Conference semi-finals
Captain: Alexander Ovechkin
It wasn't supposed to be another season ending in disappointment for the Washington Capitals. Not after picking up clutch performers such as T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams last off-season. Not after winning the Presidents' Trophy by a wide margin for the best regular season. And certainly not to their playoff nemesis the Pittsburgh Penguins, who would go on to hoist Lord Stanley at the end of the playoff season. The Capitals didn't make any major moves, but expectations are the same as before: win a Stanley Cup.
Offensively, it always begins with Ovechkin, who scored 50 goals for the third straight year. Oddly enough, he didn't lead the team in scoring, as Evgeny Kuznetsov had his breakthrough year and led the team with 77 points, six more than Ovechkin. Offense is certainly not an issue, but getting a player that can score the dirty goals in front of the net may be a need moving forward, and perhaps Brett Connolly, a former first round pick in 2010, can finally fulfill his potential in that manner. Defensively, depth could be an issue, particularly since there is no true workhorse on the blue line, but a group of solid players. Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen proved to be reliable together, but the Caps would benefit better with a healthier John Carlson. In goal, don't expect Braden Holtby to carry the load the same way he did last season, not after Phillipp Grubauer showed that he could fill in when needed. However, on the days Holtby starts, expect sterling goaltending, as he is just now entering elite company when it comes to the league goaltending, as evidenced by his Vezina Trophy win. The power play was in the top five, as it should be when you're boasting the likes of Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, and Niklas Backstrom. The penalty kill was even better, finishing second, though it remains to be seen just how much of an impact Lars Eller could have, as he is replacing Jason Chimera and Mike Richards.
Prediction: 1st in the Metropolitan Division
Unquestionably, the Capitals will make the playoffs. However, until they solve their inability to get to the Conference Finals in the Ovechkin era, all doubt will remain. In short, it will be Cup or Bust for the Capitals this season.
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