Ranking the Top Moments of 2014 for the Washington Capitals

The 2014 calendar year was not an overly kind one to the Washington Capitals, as the team failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007. 

However, the 2014-15 campaign has brought new hope to the franchise, and at least for the time being, this team looks like a postseason-caliber outfit. 

The Capitals will kick 2015 off with arguably the most exciting event in team history, as they'll host Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationals Park on New Year's Day, bringing Washington, D.C., its first Winter Classic.

Hopefully, better days are just around the corner for the Caps, but for now, here's a look back at the team's best moments from 2014. 

5. Another Rocket Richard for Ovechkin

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Just two years ago, it seemed almost unthinkable that Alex Ovechkin would reclaim his status as the game's top goal scorer, as the Russian superstar had not won a Rocket Richard Trophy since 2009. 

Furthermore, Ovechkin's goal totals had declined immensely between 2010-12, as the former No. 1 overall pick tallied 32 goals and 38 goals in those two seasons, respectively. 

However, Ovechkin stormed back with 32 goals in 48 games to win the third Rocket Richard of his career in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign, and in 2013-14, he buried a league-leading 51 goals in 77 games. 

Yes, it came at a price, as Ovechkin's plus-minus rating of minus-35 was among the league's worst, but in a season that produced little to be pleased about, one of the game's most coveted individual awards has to be considered a bright spot. 

4. Kuznetsov Beats Vancouver

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Since being drafted in 2010, Capitals fans have been waiting with impatient anticipation for Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov to make his NHL debut. 

Surprisingly, the former first-rounder opted to stay in Russia to play four full KHL seasons with Chelyabinsk Traktor, and questions lingered as to whether the former World Junior Championships MVP would ever take his talents to North America. 

But in March, the 22-year-old finally made his NHL debut, and it only took him three games to demonstrate the world-class skill that made him one of the game's most promising prospects. 

On March 14 against the Canucks, Kuznetsov tallied three assists, including a gorgeous feed to Tom Wilson on a faked shot-pass, to lead the Caps to victory. 

Kuznetsov's skill remains evident, and despite posting just 22 points in 49 career games, there's reason to believe the former KHL All-Star's got the tools to be a permanent top-six fixture in the Washington's offense.

3. Adding Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik

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Once Brian MacLellan was installed as Washington's replacement for George McPhee, the new general manager wasted no time in leaving his mark on the roster. 

Soon after the unrestricted free-agency market opened on July 1, MacLellan lured two standout former Pittsburgh Penguins in Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik to shore up what had been considered a weak defensive core. 

While the contracts, worth a combined $67 million according to CapGeek.com, are certain to raise some eyebrows, there is absolutely no questioning what the pair of rearguards have added to the Caps blue line. 

These signings gave Washington one of the deepest back ends in the league, as Niskanen and Orpik joined a talented trio of Mike Green, Karl Alzner and U.S. Olympian John Carlson, which is a luxury this franchise hasn't had since the Ovechkin era began. 

2. The Hiring of Barry Trotz

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This isn't an easy choice, because Adam Oates was one of the greatest players to wear a Capitals uniform, and despite being fired after just two seasons behind the Washington bench, there were some positives to take from his time as coach. 

Perhaps the greatest impact Oates made was in revitalizing the offensive game of captain Alex Ovechkin by moving him to the right wing as opposed to his traditional left, and the results were undeniable. 

As noted earlier, the Russian sniper led the league in goals for the duration of Oates' two-year stint, but missing the postseason simply isn't an option for a team with this level of talent. So, the Hall of Fame center was jettisoned to make way for former Predators coach Barry Trotz. 

At the time, the move seemed like a coup for the Caps, as Trotz consistently iced competitive teams despite an obvious lack of top-flight offensive talent in Nashville.

Despite regularly having former Predator-turned-Capital Martin Erat (he of two regular-season goals in 62 games) as his team's leading scorer, Trotz took his team to the playoffs in seven of the last 10 seasons. 

And now, with a roster stocked with skill and speed, Trotz seems to have Washington turning the corner, as the team sits 17-11-6 heading into the holiday break. 

1. A New Franchise Points Leader

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Enough's been written here about him, but this accomplishment can't be overlooked. 

On November 4 against the Calgary Flames, Ovechkin broke former All-Star and fan-favorite Peter Bondra's franchise record of 825 career points with an assist on longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom's goal. 

What made the feat even more impressive is that Ovechkin notched 826 points in 691 games, compared to the 961 it took the Slovakian sniper to reach the previous team best. 

In a display of class that's become a trademark of Bondra's in D.C., the two-time goal-scoring champion had nothing but praise for Ovechkin in an interview with NHL.com: 

"

He’s an unbelievable player. If you are not a hockey fan and you come just once in the building to watch the game, you’re going to say, ‘Who’s that, No. 8?' Just the way he plays is unbelievable. It was just a matter of time (to break the record), maybe weeks for him in this case, but I’m happy for him, really I am.

"