Washington Capitals and 5 reasons it’s totally different this time

The Washington Capitals begin their postseason journey on Thursday night at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, and many have greeted them with the traditional gifts of snark and pessimism.

Like our old friend “Fire” Chris Chase on FOX Sports, who created a Mad-Libs game story for when the Capitals meet their eventual, underwhelming demise.

But what if it’s different this time?

What if the mix of players, systems and coaches produces something that bursts forth through the toxic stink cloud of previous Stanley Cup Playoffs disappointments into heights that Alex Ovechkin and Co. have never before reached?

Pessimism, be gone! Here are five reasons it’s totally different this time for the Washington Capitals.

1. Braden Holtby

Outside of some anomalous years in which someone like Antti Niemi pulls a ‘Trent Dilfer’ and wins a Stanley Cup, teams that bring home a ring need a goaltender that can steal games and, in some cases, steal series.

Holtby finished a Vezina-worth season, which followed up one in which he was fourth in the voting. Goalie coach Mitch Korn has molded him into one of the League’s elite goalies.

This will be his third postseason. He’s played in 34 playoff games, and has a .936 save percentage and a 1.92 goals-against average. Read that again. Because it’s incredible.

Last season, he had a .944 save percentage and a 1.71 GAA in 13 games, which ended up being the best numbers for any goalie in the postseason.

That “goaltender that can steal games and, in some cases, steal series?” The Capitals have one.

2. Evgeny Kuznetsov

Remember this video game sickness in Game 7 last season?

It’s not a secret that Kuznetsov is a game-changing offensive player and the kind of secondary scorer this Capital team has lacked in previous postseasons. But it’s gone slightly underreported nationally that a 23-year-old Russian is the first player not named ‘Alex Ovechkin’ to lead the Capitals in points since Ovi entered the League.

3. Justin Williams

Williams had 22 goals and 30 assists in the regular season, posting slighting better numbers than fellow offseason acquisition T.J. Oshie (52 points to 51).

He hates the “Mr. Game 7” stuff, but let’s be real: He has seven goals and seven assists in seven Game 7s, which the Capitals don't usually win. In fact, he has more Game 7 wins personally than the Capitals do as a franchise (7 to 4).

He’s a lovely person and a great teammate. But this is the reason he’s here.

4. Penalty Kill

One common trait among Stanley Cup champions is a robust penalty kill, and the Capitals were No. 2 in the League at 85.2 percent (38-for-256).

It starts with Holtby. It continues with defensemen like Matt Niskanen, Karl Alzner, Brooks Orpik and John Carlson, and forwards like Mike Richards, Daniel Winnik, Jay Beagle, Tom Wilson and T.J. Oshie. It’s a capable, and impressive, group.

And finally ...

5. Maturity

The core is in their late 20s. Their coach has 1,360 regular-season games and 64 playoff games on his ledger. GM Brian MacLellan has added “rings in the room” with veteran players like Orpik, Williams and Mike Richards in the last two seasons.

The mindset has been businesslike. The focus has been concentrated. This is a championship team in construction, and a championship-ready group in its experience.

Now it just has to play like one.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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