Alexander Ovechkin giveth and Alexander Ovechkin taketh. Few NHL stars can match the Washington Capitals star’s dynamic presence and sniper shot, but there has also been an element of a “deal with the devil” for the Caps and Ovechkin. The 29-year-old Russian has been missing in action on the back end far too often in past years and his off-ice partying and carousing has been beyond the pale at times. While Ovechkin has led the Caps into perennial playoff contender status, he has not helped them hoist the Stanley Cup.
But this year, he may not have to. This year, Ovechkin has plenty of help.
Washington Trotz up the Metropolitan Division Standings
The Capitals began the week with a hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They were playing their best hockey of the year with seven wins in 10 games. The Caps are coming off a 3-0 statement making win at powerful Pittsburgh, the top team in the Eastern Conference. First year head coach Barry Trotz arrived with a stellar reputation as a defensive mastermind during his time as bench boss of the Nashville Predators. Trotz was hired to give the Caps, and Ovechkin, the defensive structure that has been missing in the past and prevented the Caps from making a deep playoff run. Ovechkin was a much improved +5 after disgracing himself last year with a -35.
Team Game
Trotz has emphasized a team game and the players are making a full buy-in. C Niklas Backstrom is in fact the leading scorer on the Caps with 11 goals and 25 assists. Backstrom also showed better commitment to the back end with a +1 after an abysmal -20 performance last year. D John Carlson has emerged as one of the top blue liners in the game with four goals, 23 assists, and a +13 against the top lines in the game. G Braden Holtby has new found confidence in his game thanks to the support in front of him and has a solid save percentage of .921 with three shutouts.
Winter Classic Opportunity
The Caps will host the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day with a positive vibe and renewed fan enthusiasm. The Winter Classic against the powerful Chicago Blackhawks will be a golden opportunity to step out and have North America take notice that this is a new and improved Caps team.
