2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals got eliminated by the Stanley Cup Champions the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round after beating the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.

The Capitals remain a strong team. One of the players that stands out is Evgeny Kuznetsov. The guy was an absolute terror when he took to the ice. Kuznetsov has the word "net" in his name, which is exactly where he put the puck, scoring 20 goals in his third NHL season. He also recorded 57 assists, totaling 77 points on the year. In 2014-2015, Kuznetsov played 80 games just like he did last season; he recorded 11 goals and 26 assists with only 37 points. He got 40 more points playing the same amount of games.

Ovechkin also played a factor as did Backstrom but the main reason why the Capitals went as far as they did was elite goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby proved to the league, and himself, that he is one of the best goaltenders in the league. If he isn't the best, he's one of the top three.

Projected Lineup
Forwards
Ovechkin  Kuznetsov  Oshie
Burakovsky  Backstrom  Johansson
Winnik  Eller  Williams
Wilson  Beagle  Connolly
Galiev  Malone

Defense
Alzner  Niskanen
Orlov  Carlson
Orpik  Schmidt
Chorney

Goalies
Holtby
Grubauer

Prediction: 1st Metropolitan

I have the Capitals over the Penguins this year again in the regular season standings. They will be very hard to beat with skill through all four forward lines, solid six defensemen, and a superhuman goaltender. Watch the Capitals decimate their competition this year and be a thorn in the side of the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, and the league as a whole.

Related:

2016-2017 NHL Team Predictions: Philadelphia Flyers