The Washington Capitals fall to the Boston Bruins in disappointing fashion four games to one. In a series that was expected to go seven games, most of which in overtime, the Capitals seemed to lose a lot of their swagger following their game three, double overtime loss. There are several different factors that go into how this series played out, however the Capitals struggling on their power play was arguably the biggest. Special teams are critical when it comes to the playoffs, no question there and the Capitals know this. They just could not get that knowledge to translate to the ice in this series as they only capitalized on two of nineteen power play chances.
On top of failing to convert on the power play, the Capitals were banged up with injuries down the stretch. They began the series without Kuznetsov and Samsonov, they found themselves relying on their third string goalie for almost half the series. Alexander Ovechkin missed a couple of games toward the end of the regular season and you have to wonder if he was playing through something a little more significant. Losing Vitek Vanecek also hurt Washington’s chances. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have been a huge deal, but Ilya Samsonov may have been rushed back to action as he just came off the leagues COVID protocol list prior to the start of postseason. With limited practice time and no prior stars, Samsonov had a great showing in game three but made a costly mistake in double overtime that may have defined the series.
In games three and four, the Capitals just weren’t the team they were expected to be and Boston outplayed them, resulting in them taking the series in five games. With their season coming to an end, the questions will inevitably start to come; What does this mean for the Capitals going forward? Since the team won the Stanley Cup in 2018, they’ve been early knockouts in every playoff since. The team's core is now in their mid-late 30s, you have to begin to wonder if it’s time to start planning towards the future. They have two young stud goaltenders in Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, however aside from them, the Caps don’t have the most promising prospect pool.
I think the biggest question going forward in Washington is Evgeny Kuznetsov. Excluding his 17 games in his first year in the league, Kuznetsov put up career low points this season. 29 points in 41 games. Granted, Kuznetsov found himself on the COVID list twice this season so it is fair to assume this could have played a part in his results this season. However there has been decline in the 29 year old’s game and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Capitals look to move him and his 7.8 million dollar cap hit. The Capitals could also choose to expose him in the expansion draft and protect T.J. Oshie who seems to be a name very associated with the Seattle Kraken.
If you dissect the Capitals current roster, they only have six players under the age of 29. They traded a younger Jacob Vrana along with other assets to Detroit in exchange for Anthony Mantha for what is the assumed purpose of making a run during these playoffs. You have to think the Capitals Front Office is already having second thoughts on that trade. In addition to Vrana, they sent Richard Panik, a 2021 first rounder and a 2022 second rounder. The Capitals might want to start to consider trading some of their more seasoned vets for younger players and draft picks.
Another pressing issue is Alexander Ovechkin being a pending UFA. It’s hard to see the Capitals not doing everything in their power to bring him back, as long as he’s chasing the goal scoring record they're going to want him in Washington. I think the real question is what is that new contract going to look like? Do the Caps go with big money for just a year or two or do they look to make a more budget friendly deal to keep Ovechkin in Washington through the remainder of Backstrom’s contract? His impact on the franchise is too significant to let him walk or consider moving him out.
You have to think Backstrom, Ovechkin, Carlsson, Orlov, and Mantha are all for the most part, untouchable. Everyone else should be considered fair game. The Caps will have a difficult decision to make with their goaltenders, Ilya Samsonov was expected to be their guy going forward but after the year Vanecek had, you have to wonder if he’s the better option. The Capitals can only protect one of them and you have to wonder if Seattle would rather have a young goalie than a 35 year old Tj Oshie. If both goalies survive the expansion draft I wouldn’t be surprised to see Washington explore the trade market as they still have Phoenix Copley who is a reliable back up.
The Capitals have lots to consider moving forward but you can’t deny that planning for the future should be in the mindsets of their front office. Realistically, they’re going to want to compete as long as they still have their core of Ovechkin, Backstrom and Carlson. At the same time though, the way this team is currently assembled, there’s no way they have more than a year, MAYBE two of making playoffs let alone contending. I wouldn’t say it’s time to fully commit to a rebuild but it’s in their best interest to begin planning to shift gears.
Chris Feldman
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