10 Things To Know About The Capitals So Far

With 10 games gone in the new season, the Washington Capitals have shown both flashes of potential and also areas of concern, and certainly while overall they have looked good with a 6-4-0 mark, they need areas of improvement to move towards their goal of being a Stanley Cup threat.

So, with a relative break in the schedule, here’s what you need to know about the team’s start and what needs to improve as the calendar flips to November.

1). Alex Tuch is the real deal

While the sign-and-trade for the Buffalo Sabres forward was a big splash this summer, Tuch has blended in well with the Capitals lineup, notching 7 goals and adding 2 assists to lead the team in scoring.

No other Cap has more than 4 goals, and Tuch already has three 2-goal games, capped off with Saturday’s overtime game-winner – Tuch’s 4th game-winning goal of the young season. His skill and speed have fit in nicely, and he also seems very content to be in the nation’s capital.

2). Alex Ovechkin’s adjustments

While the other Alex has been the team’s goal scorer, Ovechkin has not looked like his usual self so far, with just a goal and 3 assists so far, and playing just 11:43 in the overtime win against Buffalo.

Declining ice time has hurt his production – not to mention the much-deeper offense picking up the slack – but the team’s captain has not hit his stride after missing the preseason with injury. However, Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer because he scores in bunches, and certainly while he doesn’t pass the eye test anymore, he didn’t last season and still ended up with 32 goals.

3). Road ahead looming

7 of Washington’s first 10 games were at Capital One Arena, and after 4 of the next 5 at home as well, the schedule certainly becomes road-heavier come mid-November.

The Capitals were strong last year at home, and so far this season are 5-2-0. Conversely, they are 1-2-0 away from the District, although 2 were at the home of the defending Stanley Cup champions in Carolina. The Capitals will need to be better this year in road whites if they want to put themselves in a good spot for next year’s playoffs.

4). Defense needs to be better

While overall the Capitals have been solid, one unwelcome trend is stretches of disjointed play in the defensive zone and unforced errors.

While generally good against Buffalo, one Sabres goal was due to faulty positioning, another due to a terrible giveaway, and the third on a weird deflection. Washington has to tighten up and protect the puck in their own end better, as good teams will feast on the mistakes the Caps are making at times.

5). Goaltending to the rescue

One reason Washington hasn’t paid more of a price for those mistakes is that both Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren have been able to negate a number of those errors.

While seeing a lot of work, Thompson has a .901 save percentage and an .821 high-danger save percentage, and Lindgren an .886 and .800 of his own. It’s not advisable to over-rely on your goaltenders, but so far the Capitals have been able to be above .500 in large part thanks to their goaltending duo.

6). Leonard seemingly coming into his own

While Ryan Leonard was hitting his stride last year on the California trip, an injury seemed to be a setback. This year, though, the 21-year-old has seemingly begun to take a step to the next level.

In several games so far, Leonard has been the team’s top forward, scoring a highlight-reel goal against New Jersey and creating time and space with his speed and skill. Leonard’s skill is becoming more and more evident against the NHL’s top talent and coming into his own so far this season.

7). Hutson still adjusting

Leonard’s buddy on the team, Cole Hutson, has had more difficulty adjusting to the NHL speed after a goof stint to end the year last season. Hutson is simply a high-risk, high-reward blueliner who essentially plays as a fourth forward but also can make mistakes that lead to scoring chances.

Hutson has seemingly been more limited in his rushes, but he also has been hampered with Washington’s defensive injuries. Pairing Hutson with another offensive-minded defenseman is a big gamble, and so whenever the defensive corps gets healthier in the next few weeks it should normalize his play. Hutson also figures to get more time at the point with the extra man, which will certainly help his total.

8). Consistency needed

The low point of the season so far came this past Tuesday, as Washington blew a 2-0 lead in just 33 seconds against Los Angeles.

Generally, the Capitals have been solid, but there have been noticeable lapses in intensity, and while allowing one goal in the period’s final minute isn’t ideal, two goals is pretty unacceptable. Washington is at its best pushing their opponents, but need to keep a more consistent pressure to avoid major lapses like the Kings game.

9). Pierre Luc-Dubois’ value

One of the reasons the Capitals missed the playoffs last season was the injury to Dubois, and his illness this season certainly led to uneven results. Dubois’ line was the Caps’ best until he left the lineup after 4 games; then the offense became uneven with his absence.

Dubois’ linemate Tom Wilson had 5 points in the first 4 games with him on his line, after he left the lineup, Wilson has been pointless. Washington can hope Dubois’ return to the lineup will mean more consistent scoring as well.

10). Jordan Kyrou’s consistency

Washington’s other major forward addition, Kyrou, has been similar to the Capitals so far – impressive at times and not so much at others.

Kyrou’s flashes of offense have been why they traded for him from St. Louis, leading the team with 6 assists, several terrific passes on the tape leading to goals, and adding 2 of his own. But he has also been invisible at times, and Washington needs to see more of the offensive threat as the season progresses.