With the race for the Stanley Cup officially beginning in less than a week, no team is more excited to start the postseason than first−overall seed Washington Capitals.
The Capitals, who have already clinched their first−ever Presidents' Trophy for most points during the regular season, are the clear−cut favorite to win it all after their best year in franchise history. Even aside from the team's success, Russian phenom Alexander Ovechkin has proven yet again why he is the most offensively−talented player in the league.
Ovechkin's 46 goals and 104 points make him a contender for his second Art Ross Trophy for most points, third Hart Trophy for league MVP and third "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals. After trading away captain Chris Clark to the Columbus Blue Jackets early in the season, coach Bruce Boudreau and his staff decided to name Ovechkin as the team's new captain, presenting the superstar with a laundry list of new responsibilities.
Despite his numerous achievements, Ovechkin was less than proud to receive his first−ever suspension just a month into the 2009−10 season. The league's disciplinary actions resulted from a knee−to−knee collision with Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason. Ovechkin was suspended again in mid−March for sending Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell tumbling into the boards. Campbell, whose back was turned on the play, suffered a fractured clavicle and fractured rib that ended his season.
The Capitals — even with Ovechkin out of the lineup — have dominated the score sheet all season, leading the league with 299 goals, almost 50 tallies better than the closest team. On the back end, Washington ranked 17th in the NHL, giving up an average of 2.77 goals per game. While the case could be made that the Caps need to tighten up defensively to succeed in the playoffs, the odds are still considerably on their side when their team averages just under four goals a game.
Washington's top goaltender, José Theodore, has not lost a game in regulation in 84 days. The veteran's 18−0−3 record since January 12 has greatly helped the Capitals run to the postseason. Despite two shaky performances last week against the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators, Theodore is expected to start between the pipes for Washington for the duration of the playoffs.
In last year's playoffs, the Capitals faced off against the New York Rangers in the first round. Theodore was pulled after giving up four goals in game one, opening the door for rookie Semyon Varlamov, who had only played in six games that season. Varlamov shined and helped lift Washington to the Eastern Conference semifinals after seven tough games against the Rangers.
Unfortunately for the Caps, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins marched right through Washington on the way to their third−ever Stanley Cup victory. More than revenge, the Capitals want the hardware they saw slip out of their hands a year ago.
Ovechkin's Caps are 26−3−6 since early January, including an impressive 14−game winning streak during that stretch, giving the team some much−needed momentum heading into the postseason.
Furthermore, the Capitals will be looking for mid−season pickups Joe Corvo, Scott Walker and Jason Chimera to help lead the team deeper into playoffs this year. Corvo has been a sturdy addition to the Caps' blue−line, especially on their power−play unit. Walker and Chimera have chipped in with some of the team's dirty work, battling for loose pucks and throwing their weight around.
All in all, Washington has what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. Between the pipes, Theodore has shown that he's ready to give his team a chance to win every game.
In the offensive zone, there's no lack of talent. At center, the Capitals have one of the best playmakers in the league in Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom, who has a team−best 64 assists this season, will have to be a major factor for Caps in the postseason.
Alexander Semin has 38 goals this season, while defenseman Mike Green has now reached the 70−point plateau two seasons in a row, exemplifying the top−to−bottom skill of this club.
Ultimately, regular−season statistics and standings only mean so much come playoffs. However, if this season has been any indication of Washington's ability to completely dominate their opposition, Ovechkin and the Capitals have a great chance to capture the franchise's first−ever Stanley Cup.
