Washington Capitals Preview 2021
In the past 14 seasons, the Capitals have been to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 13 times, winning the title in 2018. Our Washington Capitals preview 2021 - 22 observes that last season the Caps finished second in the East with a 36-15-5 and 77 points. However, despite their strong regular-season finish, Washington lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Bruins four games to one. This is a team with awesome talent. We fully expect the Capitals to be in the postseason once again. However, as it has been in the past, we find this team will struggle to go deep into the playoffs.
Capitals - Key Skaters
Of course, Alex Ovechkin is a premium player. If he can stay healthy, expect him to record another 50-goal season. Our Washington Capitals preview 2021 - 22 notes that he’s also a massive force on the power play, as is fellow aging vet, defenseman John Carlson. Also solid on D is 10-year veteran Dmitry Orlov. Right wing Tom Wilson and center Evgeny Kuznetsov offer goals and assists. If these two younger but experienced players can up their output, that will be a huge boost to this team.
Washington Capitals Preview 2021 – Goaltending
For the caps, Vitek Vanecek had a solid first season in goal last season. He posted a 21-10-4 mark and a 2.69 GAA and .908 SV%. Ilya Samsonov, who is in his third NHL season, all with the Caps, has a two-year record of 29-10-3. He comes into the new season with a 2.63 GAA and .908 SV%. Both young netminders are overall sound.
Washington Capitals Preview 2021 – Final Word
This is Peter Laviolette 20th season as an NHL head coach and his second with the Caps. Although Laviolette won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with Carolina, Laviolette has been fired by the last three teams he’s headed, including the Hurricanes, Flyers, and Predators. Our Washington Capitals preview 2021 - 22 notes that each time he was let go it was during the season. This is a fine team and Laviolette did fine work with them in his first season. But can he get them to the next level? A major issue for this team is something he cannot control. That is aging stars.
NHL Metropolitan Division - Washington Capitals Projection 2021
Finish: 4th
Stanley Cup Appearance
Eliminated Round One