For the past few months, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have commanded the attention of the DMV. Meanwhile, 68 Games into their 2025 campaign, Ovechkin and Company.sit above the rest, atop the Eastern Conference, and also the NHL. Many storylines surround this team just a few days after the NHL returned from its annual recess for this year’s Four Nations tournament. While Canada and the United States took fisticuffs to the ice as the world watched in an incredible showing for the growing game of hockey, the Washington Capitals found themselves once again sitting on top of the NHL. Nevertheless, the Caps returned from the break fully rested, healthy, and comfortably ahead of the metro division.
It’s hard to imagine that less than a year ago this same team was swept off the ice by a far better Rangers squad. What General Manager Brian McClellan and Head Coach Spencer Carbery have achieved over the last 10 months is likely to become the model for the rest of the NHL. Rather than a traditional “rebuild” where a team sells its most valuable players for future draft stock and younger players, the Capitals have implemented a new approach that is likely to become a model to follow for other NHL Clubs. The “retool” of the Capitals began from the decision to keep the team competitive as they entered the final years of the Alexander Ovechkin era. Unlike a rebuild, the Capitals kept their core pieces together, rejuvenating veteran players by surrounding them with immense young talent and speed. In the last 24 months, Washington has acquired the following notable players:
C Dylan Strome
RW Aleksai Protas
D Jacub Chychrun
G Logan Thompson
F Pierre Luc-Dubois
C Lars Eller
It’s been a lethal combination of speed and veteran talent that has propelled Washington to the top spot in the east. Washington has continued to control the pace of play seemingly regardless of the opponent they face.
It seems every single offseason move has instantly paid dividends. One of the many big questions for the Caps in the previous years campaign was the lack of consistent goaltending. The Capitals shipped off Darcy Kuemper and his 26 Million dollar contract along with him in exchange for a talented, yet seemingly troubled forward Pierre Luc-Dubois. To fill the void in net the Capitals acquired Cup winning netminder Logan Thompson. Thompson has been excellent, ranking top 3 in all major Goal tending categories, Posting a .917 SV% With a GAA of 2.29, adding up to a 30-4-5 record on the year. With both players having career seasons, the Caps have turned two major weaknesses into 2 strengths, not to mention both players set new career highs during a home win over the Senators just a few weeks ago. Thompson’s 26th decision was his highest in a single season. Logan has propelled the Capitals to the top of the east. Dubois’ first period helper on a McMicheal goal made for his 37th assist on the year, now surpassing his previous best in his NHL Career.
As the Capitals’ Captain races towards the “unbreakable record”, the Caps look to lock up home ice for the playoffs in the following weeks. At 39, Ovechkin, following the longest injury of his 20 year career, has scored at a higher rate than he did in his 20’s. The development of Dylan Strome into a Nicklas Backstrom type playmaker has been a huge boost to Ovechkin, who once again has a talented center creating space and getting him looks. Strome’s great vision and excellent skating ability has created windows for his wingman. Ovechkin, on the other hand, who often is keyed upon heavily by opposing defenses, has yet to disappoint. Even when Ovechkin has yet to open up, he drags defenders away from his teammates, leading to a major boost in depth scoring.
As the Caps enter the home stretch, a presidents trophy, an unbreakable record, and a second championship sit on the menu for this team. For a team that has hit their championship window, the time is now to go and take it.