51-22-9 111 points (1st Metropolitan, 1st conference, 2nd overall)
3.49 GF/GP, 2nd; 2.79 GA/GP, 9th
23.5 PP%, 14th; 82.0 PK%, 5th
Key losses: F Andrew Mangiapane, F Lars Eller, F Taylor Raddysh
Key additions: F Justin Sourdif, D Declan Chisholm
Expected lineup:
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Tom Wilson
Anthony Beauvillier – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Aliaksei Protas
Ivan Moroshnicenko – Connor McMichael – Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime – Nic Dowd – Justin Sourdif
Martin Fehervary – John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun – Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
PP1: Ovechkin – Strome - Wilson – Chychrun – Carlson
PP2: Protas – Dubois – Leonard – McMichael - Sandin
5x5:
While all the focus was rightly on Alex Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky for most goals in NHL history, the Washington offense was much more than just Ovi. The Capitals were the second highest goal-scoring team in the league, and as evidenced by their place in the league standings on the man-advantage, much of that work was done at even-strength.
The Capitals had seven, 20-goal scorers and seven players tally 50 or more points. That statement shows that Washington had a more than well-balanced lineup, with several players stepping up and/or rebounding last season. In addition, a few had career-best campaigns. While some regression may occur in 2025-26, a few prominent rookies will be in the mix, lengthening the roster.
Dylan Strome had a career-best season, joined up front by Pierre-Luc Dubois, Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson in that regard. Jakob Chychrun did the same from the blue line. Ovi, despite missing 17 games with an injury, tallied 44 goals in breaking the record.
This season, Ryan Leonard and Ivan Moroshnicenko get their chance to step into full time roles. The top-nine now is comprised of three solid lines while the fourth line is a tradition checking line. Carlson and Chychrun are the main weapons from the blue line, though Rasmus Sandin, Martin Fehervary, Matt Roy and Trevor van Riemsdyk each chipped in 21 or more points.
PP
Washinton’s power-play improved from 20.6 per cent, 18th overall in the league the prior season, to 23.5, 14th overall this season. The net difference was only five goals, so the uptick in percentage made a minor difference. Any man advantage with Ovechkin is dangerous.
The Capitals, due to their depth, can mix and match. We could see Carlson and Chychrun on the point together or coach Spencer Carbery could opt to split the duo up and move Protas, Dubois or Leonard to the top unit.
The penalty kill went from 19th overall, 79 percent, to fifth, at 82 per cent success rate. Fehervary and Nic Dowd led the unit while Protas and Wilson are also used up front. The improvement shorthanded was a key factor in the team’s overall improvement.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.