In this edition of the hotstove, we discuss whether the Washington Capitals will rebound from their slow start or if they are what their sub .500 record suggests.
Todd Cordell
I don't think they will as there are some glaring red flags. The Caps still have star power but there is absolutely nothing beyond the top few players, as evident by the likes of Alex Chiasson, Tom Wilson, and Devante Smith-Pelly, none of whom recorded even 25 points last season, spending time in the top-6.
Their defense is shallow, too, so it's no surprise the Capitals rank 27th in Expected Goals For% at 5v5, which is pretty tough to overcome when you factor in they are tied for 31st with a minus-18 penalty differential.
This team has serious flaws and, given the division they're in, I wouldn't be surprised if they miss the playoffs. At this point, I expect them to.
Jared Crozier
I THINK the Capitals will be fine, and that it is early and they will right the ship. They are in 6th place in their division, but it is a crowded group and they are only 5 points out of first, with a couple of clubs ahead of them that probably won't be there at the end.
Like the Penguins, they have been on the wrong side of a couple of lopsided losses early on, but the season is still in its infancy and I don't see them missing the playoffs when the dust settles. Ask me again in 10 more games.
James Tanner It may be early, but what is happening to the Capitals was completely predictable. They lost too many good players in the summer and now are trying to get by with a top-heavy roster featuring some star players and some AHL players and not much in between.
Their defense is brutal and with Niskanen, Burakovsky, and Connolly all on the sidelines, they're arguably dressing one of the worst rosters in the NHL at the moment.
I do not expect Washington to make the Playoffs.
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