What a Run: Recapping the Washington Capitals' Incredible Second-Half Surge

Lost in all the controversy around Alex Ovechkin’s recent suspension and the hoopla surrounding the Capitals 14—game winning streak before the Olympic break, is just how dominant the Caps have been during the second half of this season.

Yes, the Caps now sit atop the NHL league—wide standings and are the clear favorites to win the President’s Cup, but exactly how have they gotten there?

The Capitals 2—1 loss to the LA Kings on January 2nd, 2010 in their 41st game marked the end of the first half of this season. 

At that point, their record was a not too shabby 24—11—6, totaling 54 points. This put the Capitals on pace to exactly match their 108 points of last season, a point total that for eight of the past ten seasons (including 2008—09) has been good enough to earn a first or second   place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Nevertheless, in overall league standings at the season’s midpoint, Washington was just one of a crush of seven teams occupying the fourth through tenth positions with 53 or 54 points, well behind the league leading duo of San Jose and Chicago tied at 61.

In the 31 games that the Capitals have played since that loss (as of this article,10 games still remain on the regular season schedule), they have gone 24—3—4, earning 52 of 62 available points (an incredible 83.9 points percentage). 

On a full season basis, that pace is equivalent to an astounding 138 point finish.  As a result, the Caps have jumped from seven points behind to nine points ahead of their nearest competition, a 16 point jump in the standings. 

Only Phoenix has had anything close to Washington’s success in this same period, gaining seven points to catch up to Chicago and pass San Jose.

Of the Capitals seven losses over this 11 week period, only three have been in regulation and only one has been by more than a single goal (a defeat by Tampa Bay on January 12th).

Their team defense has been less than stellar during those 32 games, yielding 84 goals against for a 2.6 per game average. However, in that same period the team has scored a remarkable 137 goals, for a league leading average of 4.3 goals a game.

That equals an incredible advantage of nearly 1.7 goals per game and totals a net difference of +53 over only 32 games. By contrast, their net difference over the entire first half of the season was only +27.

In the midst of this run, team general manager,George McPhee, made a series of astute moves at the trade deadline. He brought in several character players who have been making the Capitals even harder to play against.

Eric Blanger has strengthened the team down the middle and upgraded a weak penalty killing unit.

Joe Corvo has given them another legitimate top four defenseman and complemented an already excellent power play.

Scott Walker, a bargain rental at the cost of only a seventh round draft pick, has brought grit and added talent to the third and fourth lines.

Milan Jurcina, a big body blueliner, will return from surgery just in timer for the playoffs.  A Capital for most of the past three years, he can step right into coach Boudreau's system and provide more defensive depth.

Furthermore, with extra players now on the roster, the competition for ice time is pressing everyone to play hard rather than slacking off in the final weeks of the regular season.  At the same time, the new depth provides the coaching staff with the ability to selectively rest players and keep the entire squad fresh for the upcoming playoff run.

 

The Caps have another 10 games to play to finish out the regular season. If they maintain anything close to their current torrid pace, expect them to finish the season with over 120 points and a goal differential approaching +100. 

While neither will set an NHL record —Montreal’s outstanding 1976-77 season with 132 points and a +216 goal differential represents the high water marks in both categories —nevertheless, the Capitals regular season record for 2009—10 is already an outstanding achievement, especially its incredible second half run. 

If Washington can sustain its current high level of play through the end of the regular season, the team will be well positioned to take a serious shot at winning Lord Stanley’s Cup.