2008-09 Washington Capitals Preview

Hockey Betting Lines

09/24/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In the opening paragraph of last year's preview, I wrote that the Capitals fan base was in dire need of a team which they could get behind, one which shows promise enough to resurrect the franchise from some long, lean years.

It looks like they finally got it.

The Capitals finished last season strongly, ending 15-4 in their last 19 contests and completing the schedule with a 43-31-8 record, rising to the Southeast Division title for the first time since 2001.

Head coach Bruce Boudreau garnered national attention for his leadership, taking over for Glen Hanlon and guiding the club since Thanksgiving to a 37-17-7 mark and a playoff berth for the first time since 2003.

Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss in a first-round Game 7 to the Flyers, his positive but firm and direct approach struck a chord with his charges and tagged him as one of the league's rising bench bosses. His efforts were ultimately rewarded, taking home the Jack Adams Award as the leagues top coach.

With the secret now out, Washington will have its hands full trying to prove itself in a highly competitive conference.

It will be a test for Boudreau as well as star forward Alex Ovechkin, who electrified Capital crowds and terrified NHL netminders for a league-best 65 goals. However, with minimal losses and a few key gains in the offseason, the team looks like it's primed and ready to continue its ascension as one of the league's most exciting young teams.

FORWARDS - It's hard to argue how much improvement is needed when you've got the NHL's top goal-scorer in Ovechkin. However, his production represented almost 27 percent of Washingtons total goal output (242), which means that more will be expected of his wingers and the second line if the team will be successful.

Still, the 242 tallies were the most for the Capitals in one season since they scored 277 during an 84-game schedule in 1993-94. Aside from Ovechkin, eight others finished in double digits, highlighted by Alexander Semin's 26. Chris Clark, who scored a combined 50 goals from 2005-07 before missing all but 18 games a year ago, should be counted on for similar production if healthy. The now-departed Matt Cooke filled in ably with the mix of grit, skill and heart Clark is famous for.

If Nicklas Backstrom (14 goals, 69 points, Calder Trophy runner-up) fends off a sophomore slump, Sergei Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov find the fountain of youth and Michael Nylander (who dressed for only 40 games) plays close to a full season, the club has four bona-fide playmaking threats.

DEFENSE - After an 18-goal, 56-point performance while not missing a game, plus a mean streak to boot, Mike Green is on the path to becoming a Chris Chelios or Niklas Lidstrom of the next generation. Tom Poti, brought to DC for some added offensive punch, needs to do better than two goals though his presence on the power play was solid.

The only significant loss was that of firebrand Steve Eminger, who was dealt to the Flyers. With a presumably recovered Brian Pothier at their disposal, plus the ill-tempered Shaone Morrisonn and Milan Jurcina finally getting a real shot to stick with the club, the young core should make things interesting for the opposition in the defensive zone.

At six-foot-six, 221 pounds, Jeff Schultz should be counted on to provide a solid roadblock to enemy forwards while John Erskine, Karl Alzner and Chris Bourque will have to battle it out to prove they are ready for the big time.

GOALTENDING - Though Cristobal Huet was a rental from the Canadiens at the end of last season, his acquisition was a main factor in the club's late-season resurgence and ascension to the top of the Southeast Division. Unfortunately, he chose to test free agency in the offseason and was quickly snatched up by Chicago.

Exit Huet. Enter Jose Theodore. The 32-year-old's departure from Colorado was most likely hastened when he spoke publicly about his intention to explore free agency. While he failed to live up to the impossible expectation to become next Patrick Roy for the Avalanche, I think the Caps will settle if he's a continuation of the departed Olaf Kolzig's decade-long solid presence in the crease.

Theodore finished last year 28-21-3 with a 2.44 goals against and three shutouts in 53 games and should perform well without so much pressure. Even if the stats are there, it will be some time before he supplants Kolzig's popularity and professionalism in the hearts and minds of the fans.

Brent Johnson is slated to be the backup once more, following a 7-8-2 record and 2.67 GAA in 19 appearances.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The upcoming season should be another growth year, and another positive step for the franchise. As was the case last year, the Capitals will be the beneficiary of a weakened Southeast Division, and should feast on their lesser rivals to speed their ascension.

Even if Ovechkin can't match his astronomical goal total from a year ago, and if Boudreau can avoid a sophomore slump which plagued some previous Jack Adams winners, there will not be much to worry about in the nation's capital. In addition, having Clark back on the roster, the captain and the team's heart and soul when things weren't so great, solves any potential leadership crisis.

If all goes well, this edition of the red, white and blue may remind fans of their exciting clubs in the mid-to-late 1980's.