Washington Capitals 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Washington Capitals 2008-’09 record:
Defeated New York Rangers 4-3; lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3

Washington Capitals 2008-’09 playoffs:
Def. Philadelphia Flyers 4-2; def. Washington Capitals 4-3; def. Carolina Hurricanes 4-0; def. Detroit Red Wings 4-3

The Capitals had a heck of season in 2008-2009, running away with the Southeast Division title thanks to a 50-24-8 record. Ovechkin continued his superstar play by scoring 56 goals and 110 points and young playmaker Nick Backstrom came into his own with 88 points. Even better, defenseman Mike Green became the first defenseman in nearly two decades to score more than 30 goals and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy! This young group of Capitals marched into the playoffs and most of the roster won their first career playoff series as they defeated the New York Rangers.

However, the archrival Penguins waited in the second round and after winger Alexander Semin had questioned Crosby’s superstar qualifications early in the season, tensions had risen considerably between the two squads. Washington jumped out to an early lead after the Capitals won a memorable Game 2 which featured Crosby and Ovechkin registering dueling hat tricks, but it wasn’t enough. Pittsburgh fought back to take the series to a 7 th game and the Penguins brutalized the Capitals 6-2 to continue their mastery over their rivals in the nation’s capital.

Washington Capitals 2009 Preview

Washington Capitals General manager: George McPhee (404-370-128, 12th NHL year, 1st team)

Washington Capitals Coach: Bruce Boudreau (87-41-15, 3rd NHL year, 1st team)

Washington Capitals Captain: Chris Clark

Washington Capitals Top Returning Scorer: LW Alexander Ovechkin (56 goals, 54 assists, 110 points)

Washington Capitals Top Returning Goalie: Jose Theodore (32-17-5, 2.87, .900)

Washington Capitals Key Additions: RW Mike Knuble; C Brendan Morrison.

Washington Capitals Key Subtractions: C Sergei Fedorov; LW Donald Brashear; D Sami Lepisto; D Staffan Kronwall; G Brent Johnson; D Bryan Helmer; RW Viktor Kozlov.

Washington Capitals Top Line: LW Alexander Ovechkin, C Nicklas Backstrom, RW Mike Knuble

Washington Capitals Top Defensive Pairing: Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Green

Everyone knows that the Capitals are Ovie’s team. The most flamboyant player in hockey is also the best scorer on the planet and brings a major physical element to his game. At age 24, he’s just really entering the prime of his career and no one would be shocked if he scored 60 or more goals this season. He was the league MVP last year and he might win the award again this season.

But Backstrom, Semin (34 goals last year), Brooks Laich, Thomas Fleischmann and Dave Steckel highlight a young core around Ovechkin that adds Knuble and Morrison. Don’t forget about veteran playmaker Michal Nylander either, who had a tough season but has the ability to give the Caps a 3 rd dangerous scoring line. With so much elite young talent, the Caps are going to score a ton of goals this season.

Their defense was their Achilles Heel last season. Despite Green’s 31 goals and 73 points, he isn’t a great defender and the Caps were exposed against Pittsburgh on the blue line. Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrison and Tom Poti round out their top four but this is a unit that badly needs to improve in their own end.

The Capitals also have a serious goaltending question. Jose Theodore was the team’s starting goaltender all season but after an early poor showing in the first round of the playoffs, rookie Semyon Varlemov was inserted despite only playing 6 games in the regular season. Varlemov played inspired throughout the playoffs and at 21 is clearly the team’s keeper of the future. Expect strong play from Theodore in a contract year but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him dealt at some point for help on the blue line.

2009 Washington Capitals Goaltending:

Theodore hit 30-win mark for third time in his career, but struggled down stretch and lost No. 1 job to rookie Simeon Varlamov. Former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will be given every chance to win back his spot to start season. Strong positioning and anticipation skills, but tends to be over-aggressive at times and loses track of rebounds.

2009 Washington Capitals Player To Watch:

G Simeon Varlamov. Promoted to No. 1 spot in Game 2 of playoffs and led Caps to within a win of Eastern Conference finals, though his play dropped off considerably in second round against Penguins. Very quick post to post and owner of tremendously fast reflexes and a snappy glovehand. Youngest Russian-born goalie to start an NHL game.

2009 Washington Capitals Offense:

Ovechkin can’t do much more than add Stanley Cup champion to his name. He has led the NHL in goals each of the last two seasons and captured the MVP award in both campaigns. Ovechkin is the first back-to-back Hart Trophy winner since Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998, and the 11th to accomplish the feat. Ovechkin has shown he can score from anywhere on the ice and isn’t shy about letting the puck fly. He recorded 528 shots on goal last season, second only in NHL history to the 550 Phil Esposito had during the 1970-71 season. The Capitals also have strong offensive firepower up front with Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin.

Washington Capitals 2009 Season Predictions

On the brink of greatness. The Caps took another step forward last season and look to be a team about to make their mark among the NHL elite.

We predict that the Washington Capitals will finish 1st in the NHL Southeast, 1st seed in East: 107 points.

Washington Capitals Betting

Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Odds: +700
Washington Capitals Eastern Conference Odds: +300
Washington Capitals Southeast Odds: -250

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