What Went Wrong: 8 + 895 = 1
The top-seeded Washington Capitals were ousted in the second round, bringing a historic season to an abrupt end
Well, Capitals, I hope it was worth it.
The entire 2024-25 Washington Capitals season seemed to be focused on one thing and one thing only: 895. That was the magic number: 895. Alex Ovechkin entered this on the verge of that record, and boy, did the Capitals really try to get that record for him. They did finally get it for him. Ovi put up #895. He added two more by regular season's end, but in all of this, the Capitals somehow had a great season and managed to finish on top of the entire Eastern Conference. They even won a series for the first time since they lifted Lord Stanley above their heads.
However, that series win was against the Montréal Canadiens--a team who was just happy to be there. When it came down to facing a team with actual goals and expectations, the Capitals faltered. Washington faced the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Caps were doomed from the get-go. A loss on home ice in Game One pretty much sealed it. Caps did take Game Two, but the two games in Raleigh saw the Caps dominated and owned, and Game Five marked the end.
Another horrendous second round loss for the Washington Capitals. I've heard this song before. Good thing 2018 happened, because it would have been disastrous stretch for the Capitals if 2018 never ended the way it did.
Now let's address the elephant in the room--the one who has almost 900 goals.
As I said before, I hope it was worth it. The Capitals basically dedicated the whole season to helping Ovechkin get that goals record, and it took nearly the entire regular season to complete that mission. Luckily, the Caps also managed to finish with such a good record, but even so, you want to focus on what you can do when it counts, those months of April, May, and June (should you get to that third month). The record was fulfilled, but when the time came to focus on the task at hand, all they did was dominate a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Big deal. When it came to a team with expectations... crickets.
Though Ovechkin did do his thing. Five goals in the 2025 playoffs, including his first-ever playoff OT goal (still can't believe that). He only had six points, because he's not exactly an assist man. You know who is? Dylan Strome. Strome was the only one on the team who put up a point per game, finishing with 11 points (2G/9A) in 10 playoff games. Tom Wilson, of all people, was second with seven points (3G/4A). While Ovi had six points, Connor McMichael also had that same amount, with four of his points going into the net. Speaking of the net, Logan Thompson was in the net for the Caps, going 5-5 with a .917 SV% and a 2.41 GAA.
Ovechkin has the record, but even with all of that, he only has the one Stanley Cup, and that remains so after this second round exit. It's been seven years since that dream year, and they have a grand total of one series win since then, and that win came this year. Will the Capitals ever get that second Cup? I doubt it. I don't think the Cup window is open for this team. Too many good teams in the way, and still not deep enough to really be a threat. But hey, at least 895 happened, right?
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About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
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