Washington Capitals Must Improve Defense for 2011 Postseason Run

If Evgeny Kuznetsov is anything like Alexander Semin, then Washington will be twice as dangerous offensively in 2014-15 as they are now.

The former put up nine points in 35 games in Russia before scoring five goals and assisting on seven more in seven games during the 2010 Under-18 World Championships. 

Semin on the other hand, had three goals and seven assists in 26 games for Khimik Moscow Region in Russia before scoring three goals and three assists in seven games during the World Championships for Russia in 2006. 

For a team that averaged 3.82 goals for per game despite Alex Ovechkin missing 10 games due to injuries and suspensions in 2009-10, one might ask: How many goals can the Capitals score in one season?

Washington did lead the league with 318 goals and a plus-85 goal differential in 2009-10, but nothing in their team strategy seemed to haunt them more than their inability to score goals.

Not to mention the Capitals being unable to keep the puck out of their own net during their last three playoff games of 2010 to clinch the series. 

They already had a 3-1 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens, but just could not move on to the next round despite having three attempts to do so in the first round of last season's playoffs. 

With that in mind, they must change their strategy at least some in order to get deeper into the postseason.

The Capitals need to pay more attention to their play on the back end in order to win games instead of relying almost solely on their offensive ability as a team. 

They had five of the top six players in the NHL last year in plus-minus, as well as one of the most potent power play units in the league; however, that did not translate well to success in the playoffs, as they scored only five goals combined in their four playoff losses. 

The Canadiens, meanwhile, scored 11 goals combined in those four games. 

During the regular season, the Capitals defense was tied for 16th in the NHL. 

That alone will not be good enough for a team to go deep into the playoffs or win a Stanley Cup Final, as teams which are successful step up their play in their own zone during deep Stanley Cup runs. 

Semyon Varlamov, as well as Michal Neuvirth, have to be better in goal as well, as they will be the goalies who will be looked to in Washington to win games next season now that Jose Theodore is gone.

The defensemen will also likely have to stay back more often instead of joining in the offensive rushes up the ice, as they can no longer afford to allow teams to score to their full potential during the postseason. 

This will be key in their quest for the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

Despite their near invincibility on offense, things must change in order for the Capitals to take the next step for their franchise.

Preseason Pick: First in the Southeast, President's Trophy winner.

Stanley Cup chances: Lose in Conference Finals.