The Washington Capitals are thriving so far in 2024-25, thanks partly to some savvy acquisitions during the NHL off-season.
The Washington Capitals have been one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season.
Many viewed the Capitals as a bubble team heading into this campaign, but they instead have one of the best records in the NHL.
The Capitals sport a 17-6-2 record and are tied for first with the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference with 36 points. However, the Capitals have three games in hand over the Devils, which shows how incredible they've been playing.
Last season, the Capitals finished with a 40-31-11 record and just snuck into the playoffs. They also ended the year with a minus-37 goal differential. They have a plus-31 goal differential this season.
A big reason for the Capitals' major turnaround is Alex Ovechkin's remarkable start to the campaign before fracturing his left fibula. However, he is not the only reason, as several of the Capitals' summer additions are making an impact.
With the Nashville Predators struggling despite signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, the Capitals now look like the off-season winners so far.
Jakob Chychrun has undoubtedly been an outstanding addition thus far. His eight goals in 20 games have him tied with Zach Werenski and Cale Makar for first among all NHL defensemen. He also has 15 points, so he is providing solid offense from the point.
Goaltender Logan Thompson has thrived early on in his Capitals tenure, too. The Calgary native has a 10-1-2 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average. In his three losses, two of them had a save percentage of at least .935. With numbers like these, he has provided the Capitals with much-needed stability between the pipes.
While there was some clear risk in trading for Pierre-Luc Dubois after his down year with the Los Angeles Kings, he is off to a nice start with the Capitals. In 25 games, he has just three goals, but he is setting up offense, as his 13 assists show.
Matt Roy has been a solid addition to the Capitals' top four due to his steady defensive play and physicality. He has one goal, five points, 25 blocks, 30 hits, and a plus-5 rating in 15 games.
More depth summer Capitals additions, such as Taylor Raddysh (11 points), Jakub Vrana (seven points in 16 games) and the penalty-killing Brandon Duhaime have all been pleasant surprises and have given Washington a bit more secondary offensive production.
After an underwhelming 2023-24 season, the Capitals significantly retooled their roster instead of rebuilding, even when the latter once looked like the better route. Right now, their moves are paying off nicely, and they are making a real case for themselves as one of, if not the biggest, early winners of the 2024 NHL off-season.
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