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NHL Playoffs 2017: 5 reasons Capitals can win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 17, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Weakened Penguins

No team has given the Capitals more fits in the playoffs than the Penguins. The past two times they’ve faced off in the postseason, Pittsburgh has come out on top and went on to win the Stanley Cup. This year, the Penguins are entering the playoffs significantly weaker than in years past. The injury to star defenseman Kris Letang is nothing short of terrible. His herniated disc will cause him to miss the entire playoffs.

Letang isn’t the only Penguin hurting. They’re also struggling to stay healthy and get people healthy. Evgeni Malkin has been out for quite some time, though he’s likely getting rested for the playoffs. Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, Bryan Rust and Connor Sheary have each missed extended playing time. Because of this, Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to put together an extended stretch of impressive play.

Going into the 2016-17 season, everyone thought the Penguins were the only team capable of beating the Capitals. Likewise, the Caps were the only team capable of beating the Pens. The former is still likely true, but the latter is not. Washington’s greatest foe is weak going into the postseason and secretly, the Caps have to be happy about it. They’ll take a Stanley Cup anyway they can.

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