By Alex Murphy
Considering they are defending Stanley Cup champs, the 2018-19 Capitals have been a relative disappointment.
As of this morning, they have 77 points, two behind the Isles for first place in the Metro with 19 games to play.
The team has struggled over the last month and a half, going on a seven-game losing streak and three-game losing streak.
They have allowed five goals or more in seven different games and have scored two goals and less in seven different games. The Capitals have lost all 12 games where either or both of these instances have occurred.
On the surface, this looks like the wheels have just fallen off for the Caps.
But on a sober, second look, the situation is not that dire.
Ovi (above), in his age-33 season, has been absolutely tearing it up on the ice, leading the team with 61 points through 55 games and the NHL with 37 goals, four more than anyone else in the league.
Backy, Kuzy and Carly all have 36 and more assists this season, one of three teams with three players with that many assists or more.
Tom Wilson, while easily leading the team with 75 penalty minutes this season, still has a 12 +/- and in just 25 games played so far this season, is just 10 points away from setting a career-high for points in a season and has tied his career high with 14 goals so far.
Despite this skid to begin the 2019 season, the season is far from lost. The playoffs are coming up and the Caps look poised to make another deep playoff run.
With a solid roster, depth at goalie outside of Braden Holtby and a new coach that has re-energized the team after the departure of Barry Trotz, a repeat might be coming back to the District…if all goes well.
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