How are the Caps doing so well this season?

[senseimike]

Hey guys,

Sens fan here- I come in peace! - So forgive me if I am a bit out of the loop- For the last few years, I remember thinking how the Caps seemed to be fine treading on being quasi competitive to support Ovie beat Gretzky and seemed to be the case coming into this season too. So I was wondering, what has been the secret to the team's success this year? Is it repeatable next season assuming the key roster pieces are back? Would def be cool to see Ovie beat the record and win another cup!

Click to read more...

 

[Fred22406Capsfan]

The old 'sum is greater than the parts' applies. The chemistry is insane. The team seems to look at it as "D is struggling? Let's score 5." or "O is struggling? Shutout or 1 goal game" happens. Tightly dialed in. Not perfect (who is) but this team can make a DEEP run as constructed.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Great coaching and locker room chemistry. Excellent leadership up and down the roster.

Their defense is terrific 1 thru 6, and their goaltending has been really good (especially Thompson).

Very deep team with very little true weakness.

All that said, no one expected this from them.

 

[43sfriends]

The weakness is a lot of good, effective role players but no one truly elite anywhere, with the possible exception of LT's recent play. We are so reliant on that good chemistry, camaraderie, and Carbery to continue to pull the right strings.

Way different team from 2018 and the President trophy teams the years before.

 

[stephenball]

It’s a rare case of having a lot of turnover in the offseason and every new piece somehow fitting in extremely well, both on the ice and in the room.

 

[DWGie26]

As others have mentioned, the biggest thing is culture from the top down. the room is incredibly tight and that translates to play.

In terms of players… i think the defense has completely pivoted. Chychrun coming in, Roy coming in, and Sandin really finding his game in the system. All those additions mean Carlson doesn’t have to play 25 minutes a game and carry all of the scoring. And he has looked great this year.

 

[Roshi]

Buying capfriendly. All the contracts in the books added value after the purchase.

 

[Kuz]

Hey guys,

Sens fan here- I come in peace! - So forgive me if I am a bit out of the loop- For the last few years, I remember thinking how the Caps seemed to be fine treading on being quasi competitive to support Ovie beat Gretzky and seemed to be the case coming into this season too. So I was wondering, what has been the secret to the team's success this year? Is it repeatable next season assuming the key roster pieces are back? Would def be cool to see Ovie beat the record and win another cup!

Chychrun and PLD who didnt fit on their last teams are perfect fits here. PLD might be the Caps best forward this year. Chychrun and Roy in have made the defence one of the best in the NHL. Sandin also taking a step up helps aswell.

Protas and McM have both taken a big leap in their development and Wilson is finally looking more like he did before the injury. So the top 6 is overall very good and hard to play against (A lot of size in PLD, Protas, Wilson and Ovi. Protas, McM, Wilson and PLD also plays very good defence and can win the puck back).

The 4th line led by Dowd is also one of the best in the League. The third line have been more average and where most Caps fan see potential for inprovement.

Then you have Thompson who have been one of the best goalies in the league.

 

[Random schmoe]

As far as their ability to sustain it into next season, some of that depends on whether they re-sign Chychrun and Thompson who are both major positive contributors. And then the question of what they can get out of prospects like Leonard and Cristall.