With high expectations this season, the Washington Capitals open their season against a team they’ll likely have to unseat to make a playoff run.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes raised their new banner Tuesday at home, but they still haven’t scored a regular-season goal, after being blanked for nearly 65 minutes in an overtime 1-0 loss to the Florida Panthers.
The Capitals and Hurricanes are widely expected to finish 1/2 in the Metropolitan Division, and perhaps even the Eastern Conference – as both teams have the last two years. Of course, two years ago, the Capitals were eliminated by the Hurricanes in a second-round series, and six years ago Carolina dethroned the Capitals in the first-round – something Washington may have a chance to return the favor.
Washington has changed a lot of its roster since that 2025 series, and resembles a team that has given the Hurricanes fits in recent playoffs: the Florida Panthers. Of course, the Cats missed the playoffs last season, and the ‘Canes took advantage in winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 20 years.
The Capitals’ scoring depth and size mimic the Panthers’ attempts to contend, and the new-look team gets its first real test in Raleigh Friday.
Capitals fans can expect more of a rolling lineup this season, as well as a larger, more abrasive style of hockey meant to wear down opponents, particularly in a playoff series.
Despite Washington’s down season, they did go 2-0-1 against the eventual champs last year, falling only in a shootout loss at home and delivering a 4-1 win in the only game played in North Carolina last November.
Now, with a new-look roster, Washington gets a chance to size up against the team that likely will be a roadblock in its Stanley Cup hopes off the bat.
