NHL Playoffs 2012: Why the Washington Capitals Will Be Better Next Season

The Washington Capitals' 2012 season ended following a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.

The Capitals salvaged a disappointing regular season by securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. They managed to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins before coming up just short in a thrilling series against the top-seeded New York Rangers.

This is the closest the Capitals have come to the making the Eastern Conference final in the Ovechkin era. Although the team made it to Game 7 of their 2009 semifinal series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they suffered an embarrassing 6-2 loss at home.

This may be the first season in years Capitals fans have real reason to be optimistic that the upcoming season can be better than the last.

With their new approach under coach Dale Hunter, solid goaltending from Braden Holtby and depth at forward and defense, the Capitals finally proved they have the durability and grit to perform well in the playoffs.

Aside from the likely departure of Alexander Semin, the Capitals’ roster should be kept intact for the most part. With that in mind, the Capitals should be considered a strong contender in the East next season, and here’s why.

Coaching

The players bought in to Dale Hunter’s system, which gave them the opportunity to be successful in the playoffs. Hunter taught them to play team defense, to play physical at both ends of the rink, to back-check and most importantly, block shots.The Capitals led all playoff teams through two rounds with 308 blocked shots.

However, Hunter, who spent the majority of his playing career in Washington, leading the Capitals to the Stanley Cup final in 1997, won't be back behind the bench in 2013. 

The pressure now falls on Capitals GM George McPhee to find a coach with a mindset and style similar to that of Dale Hunter. If he can find the right coach the Capitals should be able to emulate the success they had under Hunter. 

Goaltending

Braden Holtby has proven himself as a legitimate starting goaltender with his brilliant performance in the playoffs.

The 22-year-old Holtby will continue to improve with the guidance of former Capitals’ goaltender Olaf Kolzig. Holtby also gives the Capitals the opportunity to save cap space as the services of either Tomas Vokoun or Michael Neuvirth will not be required in 2013.

Alex Ovechkin

It’s no secret Alex Ovechkin had an off year—his 65 points were easily the lowest of his career. However, he did manage to do more with the less in the playoffs, scoring five goals and nine points while averaging less than 20 minutes of ice time per game.

He also back checked and blocked shots—two things we are not accustomed to seeing Ovi do. At age 26, Ovechkin’s best years are still in front of him. He should bounce back next season and be at least a point per game player.

Southeast Division

It doesn’t hurt that the Capitals play in what has been one of the weakest divisions in the NHL in the last four or five years.

The Florida Panthers are a solid team, but lack the goaltending and depth to finish ahead of the Capitals again. The up and coming Winnipeg Jets will still have to face an extremely tough travel schedule next season. The Capitals experience, depth and goaltending will lead them to a fifth division title in six years and give them home-ice advantage in the 2013 NHL playoffs.   

The criticism of the Capitals over the last few years is certainly justified. They have been unable to reach the conference finals despite repeatedly being at the top of the Eastern Conference in the regular season.

This year was different.

Washington’s lackluster season led to a coaching change, which in turn led to a change in the team’s attitude and style of play. The Capitals now know what it takes to be successful in the playoffs: a balanced attack, strong team defense, physicality, blocked shots and great goaltending.

Now it’s up to the players to take what they’ve learned and put it to use throughout the 2013 NHL season.