by Jackson Fritz
The Redskins are starting slow. The Nats lost over 100 games this season. DC United is fighting to earn a playoff spot, and the Wizards, while boasting a winning record, aren’t at the top of their division, let alone the NBA. So what Washington team has what it takes to win a championship? As of now, the Capitals, Washington’s hockey team, has everything it needs to win the Stanley Cup, the NHL championship. After the first 8 games, the Caps are among the top 10 teams in the NHL. Led by left winger Alexander Ovechkin, they have scored the second most goals in the league, with 29 goals for. They hold a record of 4-2-2 (wins, losses, overtime losses) for a total of 10 points, making them first in their division. And Sports Illustrated for Kids has voted for them to win the Stanely Cup this year.
The Caps, after only 8 games, have league leaders in almost every category. Ovechkin leads the NHL in total points (16), and goals (9). Experts say he is on track to possibly tie or break the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s goal record of 92. Nicklas Backstrom, center, is second in the league in assists with 9. Alexander Semin, right wing, is third in the league in scoring with 6 goals. Semyon Varlamov, the young goaltender for the Caps, has proved his talent and leads the league in penalty shootout save percentage, having stopped all the shots he has faced in shootouts.
There are plenty of other notable players on the Caps. Jose Theodore, goalie, has been one of the most consistent goaltenders in the league and one of the toughest. In a game against San Jose, he experienced sharp pain in his lower back halfway throught the first period. Through consistent pain, Theodore made some spectacular saves and only conceded 1 goal. The goal came off of a defensive error and even the greastest goalies of all time would have been unable to save the point blank shot. He is expected to play soon. Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble, two offseason recruits, have proven their worth with over 1o combined points. Brooks Laich has three goals and is a possible canidate for being a future captain of the team. David Steckel, center, leads the NHL in most faceoffs won and greatest faceoff win percentage (70.8%). Mike Green, defenseman, has started his point spree again while maintaning his ever so great defensive game.
There have been some slipups so far this season, but Coach Bruce Boudreau isn’t worried. So far this season, the Caps have lost close games to the Philidelphia Flyers (loss in overtime), the New York Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings (loss on bad penalties, Red Wings scored 2 goals on power plays) and the New Jersey Devils (loss in penalty shootout). In all 4 games it was the Capitals fault for the losses and not the other team playing better. Against the Flyers, the Caps let in 5 goals on poor defensive play and lazy coverage. In overtime, the Flyers slipped one by Jose Theodore for the overtime win. Against the Red Wings, the Caps had a 2-1 lead but commited very poor penalties that reluted in 2 goals in power plays for the Red Wings. The Caps shooters failed to convert easy goals against the Rangers, and payed the price in a close loss. In the New Jersey game, the Caps once again failed to play consistent defense and let in 2 quick goals that caused the game to go into overtime, and then a shootout. Coach Boudreau is confident that his team can play much more reliable defense as the season goes on as the players begin to mesh together and play more like a team. With some of the leagues best defensive players, it is only a matter of time.
The Caps are loaded both offensively and defensively. With the top goal scorers in the nation providing goals, they know how to win games. And their depth in goal, with Theodore, Varlamov, and Braden Holtby, a promising 4th round draft pick, should prove to outplay any forward line the other teams have. The combination of several great goal scorers and goaltenders will prove victorious with the approaching Winter Olympics. As teams lose their best players for some games, the Capitals have enough firepower without Ovechkin or Semin to continue wining games. While the other Washington teams squander away playoff chances, the Capitals look like a team ready for the Stanley Cup.
