Nhl Playoffs: Failure To Capital-ize Will Come Back To Haunt Washington

Everything about the Washington Capitals in 2024-25 was a feel-good story. Until, of course, they ran into the buzzsaw known as the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Capitals' vaunted offense dried up, and they bowed out meekly, scoring just six non-empty-net goals in five games against a red-hot Frederik Andersen.

It was an enormous missed opportunity for the Capitals, who almost certainly will not have the confluence of great mojo they experienced this season ever again.

The off-season moves made by then-GM Brian MacLellan all worked out wonderfully, and almost every player on the roster had a career year. Alex Ovechkin chased, and passed, Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, which brought a focus on both the Capitals and the NHL.

But what now? Logic would suggest that there's no way all those players are going to outperform their career numbers again. Some might, but not all of them. A regression looks to be in the cards here. The only question is how dramatic and quick it is.

Watch today's video column for more.

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Promo image credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images