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Washington Capitals 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Josh Hill

Feb 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Eastern Conference. Washington Capitals. 2. player. 106. <p class=. Metropolitan

Team MVP

Alex Ovechkin – LW

You can’t pick the MVP of a team and skip over the MVP of the entire league. That’s what Alex Ovechkin is and it’s going to be a massive year for his legacy in 2015-16. He’s won more MVP trophies than his counterparts in the game today and he’s probably the most dominant and dangerous scorer in the entire league, neck-and-neck with Patrick Kane as drop of a hat game changers.

But Ovechkin still hasn’t won a Stanley Cup and this is the year that could all change. It comes down to more than just having him lead ad score — it’s how well he can bring the team together and make sure he doesn’t have to carry them on his back. That’s a strategy that has resulted in a grand total of zero Cups, and with additions like Justin William and most notably T.J. Oshie, the Capitals MVP could finally ad Stanley Cup Final Champion to his resume.

May 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 3 - 2. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 3 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Case Scenario

With the addition of T.J. Oshie, the Capitals might have the best top line in all of hockey this season. Add to that the addition of fellow right winger Justin Williams and the Capitals all of sudden have the depth that has held them back in years past and have line combinations that Barry Trotz can play with all season long.

There’s no guarantee that it will all come together, as the Capitals have been notorious at looking sharp but falling with a thud. But the best case scenario for this team after the moves they made is to make it to the Stanley Cup Final and finally overcome all of their demons from years past. It’s a ride open field in the Eastern Conference, and the Caps have the fire power to win the President’s Trophy and stake their claim as the best team in the East.

Worst Case Scenario

For a team as topsy-turvy as the Capitals are, it could very well be a season that looks promising but ends well short of  deep Stanley Cup Final run. That’s the worst case scenario for this team, as they cannot afford to get as good as they’ve gotten this summer and then follow it up with anything short of a trip to the Final.

That seems like a tall order for a team who limped out of the first-round last season, but Washington is no longer in a position where getting in is good enough. That expired years ago, and it’s win-now or forever hold your sadness within for the Caps. The championship window still looks like it’s open, but another loss in the postseason short of a trip to the Final could indicate that the window has been closed and we just didn’t know it yet.

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