Inside look at Washington Capitals
Counting on Ovechkin to lead way to first playoff series win since 2018
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The Washington Capitals head into training camp acutely aware that they haven't won a Stanley Cup Playoff series in the four seasons since winning the Cup in 2018. They're also cognizant that they won't be able to change that narrative until the playoffs begin in April.
"We know it, our fan base knows it and the management knows it that from inside the locker room last year we didn't get it done, and we have to," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "I think the most important thing is that we're ready to win game one. I like to keep things in perspective and on point with where you are currently and I think when you get to that point at the end of the year, you can change your tune and change your focus."
That focus after losing to the Florida Panthers in six games in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round last season was on upgrading around its remaining championship core of forwards Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie, Lars Eller and defensemen John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov.
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Washington revamped its goaltending, signing unrestricted free agents Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren to replace Ilya Samsonov, who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vitek Vanecek, who was traded to the New Jersey Devils.
With Backstrom out indefinitely while recovering from resurfacing surgery on his left hip and Wilson not expected back before December after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the Capitals added forwards Dylan Strome (signed as an unrestricted free agent) and Connor Brown (trade with the Ottawa Senators).
"We accomplished what we wanted to do, starting with the goalies, and then we added some forwards that I think are pretty complementary to what we already have," general manager Brian MacLellan said. "So, I'm anxious to see the forward group."
Brown, who had 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 64 games with Ottawa last season, could sub for Wilson at right wing on the top line with Ovechkin and Kuznetsov. Strome, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract July 14, will be among the candidates to fill in for Backstrom as the second-line center.
The Capitals survived when Backstrom missed the first 28 games last season because of his hip with rookies Connor McMichael,
Aliaksei Protas
and Hendrix Lapierre helping to fill the void. Strome, who had 48 points (NHL career-high 22 goals, 26 assists) in 69 regular-season games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, provides a more experienced option this season. The 25-year-old can also play wing, giving Laviolette flexibility with lineup decisions.
"Replacing Nick last year was really tough," Laviolette said. "We were able to get it done and hold the fort down until Nick got back, but to me, to have the depth of the guys that were signed this summer, especially where Strome plays center, and to know that they're there adding to the depth of the young players, I feel like it puts us in a good spot to attack the season."
Laviolette feels similarly about the addition of Kuemper, who helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup last season. The 32-year-old signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract (average annual value of $5.25 million) July 13 to be the clear-cut No. 1 goalie Washington hasn't had the past two seasons.
Kuemper was 37-12-4 with a 2.54 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 57 regular-season games last season with Colorado and 10-4 with a 2.57 GAA, .902 save percentage and one shutout in 16 playoff games.
"The way he's played the last five or six years in the League and the fact that he just won a Stanley Cup, now he's a Stanley Cup champion," Laviolette said. "I think his leadership and his presence in net is going to be noticeable."
The Capitals have been a consistent playoff team, qualifying in eight straight seasons and 14 of the past 15. Although the core, led by Ovechkin (turns 37 on Sept. 17), is getting older, Kuemper believes Washington's championship window remains open.
"Obviously, it's team that's won before and it's a veteran group that knows how to win," Kuemper said. "That's what I was looking for: another chance to go win. I think this is place where we can do that."
