Optimistic Capitals have ‘no doubts’ about potential ahead of NHL opener

The Capitals aren’t looking for a repeat of last season, which saw the team lead the Eastern Conference in points during the regular season. They want more. They want a deep postseason run.

“Success is in the playoffs,” captain Alex Ovechkin said Tuesday. The path to the Stanley Cup begins Wednesday, when the Capitals open the regular season at home against the Boston Bruins. 

The Capitals are returning the vast majority of last season’s roster. The top eight goal-scorers are all coming back, as are the top nine point-getters. The blue line is unchanged, with the top six defensemen all ready to rock.

It was a relatively quiet offseason for Washington, though. After the summer of 2024 saw a roster overhaul, the last few months have passed without a splashy free-agent acquisition. 

The addition of winger Justin Sourdif, a 23-year-old winger acquired via trade with the Florida Panthers, may have been the most substantial move. 

“Last year, I think there were a lot of questions on how we gel and chemistry and how long it would take,” goaltender Logan Thompson said. “This year, our connection is just getting stronger every day. There should be no doubts about the season. We’re ready to go.”

But there are doubts. Not within the Capitals’ locker room, but from media pundits and analysts around the league. 

ESPN ranked Washington 10th in its preseason power rankings, citing concerns that last season’s dominance could have been “smoke and mirrors.” NHL.com pegged them at No. 11. The lackluster rankings arrive despite last season’s dominant regular-season performance.

Thompson can’t help but notice the skeptics. 

“It’s hard not to hear and see it. We were pretty quiet this year in free agency. A lot of people maybe don’t think that was enough,” he said. “Just because we didn’t go get that superstar name that was available, that we’re no longer a good team. I think the opposite. We didn’t need to make any changes.”

Ovechkin, now six months removed from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record, isn’t paying attention to the outside noise. On the eve of his 21st season with the Capitals, he said he has learned to tune out the media. 

“I don’t think there’s going to be pressure on us. Of course, that success we had last year, we’re going to try to repeat,” he said Wednesday after downplaying retirement rumors.

In addition to the returning group, youngsters like Sourdif and Ryan Leonard are looking to make an impact in their first full seasons at the NHL level. 

They’ll join center Hendrix Lapierre, a 23-year-old former first-round pick, as young guns eager to showcase their abilities against high-level competition. 

“The biggest word I’m using with them right now is reliable,” coach Spencer Carbery said. “Reliable is the key word because when you’re being reliable to your teammates and to the coaches, you earn more opportunities and can play in a lot of different situations.”

Leonard, a 2023 first-round pick, weathered a slow start to his NHL career during 17 games between the end of the regular season and the playoffs. He managed just three points as he adapted to the speed of professional hockey. 

“He’s learning it. There’s no doubt,” Carbery said. “A young player is going to make mistakes. It’s not an easy league to learn on the fly. But we’re okay with that, as long as we’re outweighing the good with the bad. … Leno has come a long way in that.”

Breakout performances from the rookies could help Washington find another gear, but they’ll rely on the veterans to drive the team. That includes Ovechkin, who Carbery noted has remained consistent in his daily approach, even as a 40-year-old. 

“He’s been normal,” the coach said. “From preparation, in meetings, his aura and just his energy and enthusiasm every morning. It’s been very much the same, even after breaking the record.”

Alternate captains John Carlson and Tom Wilson help anchor the leadership group. Though Carlson, 35, could see his role change this season. 

For years, the Capitals have relied on him in every role: five-on-five, penalty kill and power play. They’ll still need him, but he likely won’t lead the team in minutes, like he has in every season since the 2016-17 campaign. 

“He probably wouldn’t agree to this or admit it or want this, but I think it’s prudent for us to gear back his minutes a touch,” Carbery said. “We just need to be smart with his minutes. It’s a product of our defensive core as a whole. You would like to spread those out so it’s not necessarily quantity; it’s more quality from all six guys.”

From the veterans to the rookies, Wednesday night should be special. The Capitals open the season at home against the Boston Bruins. Players are already feeling the butterflies. That’s normal, according to Carbery. He encouraged players to embrace the first-day feelings in a huddle after the final practice before the opener.

“They should acknowledge and take a moment. You are playing in the best league in the world and have an opportunity to play in the NHL on opening day,” he said. “Don’t take that lightly.”