Fansided

2018 is the year Washington Capitals finally shake Stanley Cup playoff curse

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Andre Burakovsky #65 after scoring a second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 30: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Andre Burakovsky #65 after scoring a second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Every season is the Washington Capitals’ year. But 2018 is actually, without question, the Caps’ year. 

The Washington Capitals are a fairly predictable team. Just about every year, they are predicted to be really good. And in the regular season, they live up to these expectations far more often than they don’t. Media outlets start naming the Caps the Stanley Cup favorites. Usually, they make it out of the first round. Sometimes they don’t. But even when they do, it’s all downhill from there.

Allegedly, 2016 was the Capitals’ year. But then trade deadline acquisition Mike Weber turned the puck over in overtime of Game 6 of the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then, 2017 was even more so “their year” — at least, until Braden Holtby had his worst playoff series (and arguably his first bad one).

So why should Capitals fans even have hope? What does their 2018 team have that the previous incarnations didn’t? Could the Capitals win the Stanley Cup? Absolutely!

Why They’ll Win It

The Capitals have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. Alex Ovechkin is hungry for a Cup. And despite what the narratives say, no, he’s not a choker in the postseason. Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Lars Eller form an impressive trio of centers.

T.J. Oshie is heating up at the right time. Shane Gersich is an interesting young player whom the Caps like a lot. He might factor into the postseason equation for them, especially after impressing in his NHL debut. The Capitals have rarely gotten secondary scoring support for Ovechkin, but this year, guys are heating up at the right time.

They also have arguably the best goaltending tandem in the playoffs. Holtby is still one of the best postseason goalies ever, even after last year’s debacle against the Penguins. And he might not even be starting! Philip Grubauer has been outstanding while Holtby has gotten some time off. The Penguins might have Holtby’s number, but they don’t have Grubauer’s.

Leading the defense is John Carlson, who has been among the NHL’s most productive defensemen. Dmitry Orlov has blossomed into one of the finest blue liners in the NHL and has become remarkably more consistent over the last two seasons.

Finally, this might be the year the Capitals don’t have immense pressure on them. The past two seasons, they’ve had to deal with being President’s Trophy winners. Everyone thought they would win the Stanley Cup in each of the past two seasons.

That’s not going to be the case this year. This season, the Caps have had to fight hard to get to where they are. It should serve them well in the postseason.

Next: Each NHL Team's Biggest 'What If' Moment

This is the year for the Capitals. Unless, once again, it gets delayed yet another season. But it won’t, because this is the Capitals’ year. Really.

Home/Washington Capitals