Caps prepare for 2013-14
By Matthew Laux
Over the years, the Washington Capitals have become notorious for fantastic regular season with a mediocre post season. The Capitals and second year head coach Adam Oates hope to break the playoff slump entering the 2014 campaign. Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals after a season, which the star returned to his MVP form. Ovechkin enters the season playing fine hockey and should be a major contender to win his fourth Hart Trophy.
Ovechkin (Above) won his third Hart trophy in 2013.
Washington did little tinkering with the roster this offseason. The only major loss from a season ago was center Mike Ribeiro, who left the Capitals to sign a 4 year 22 million dollar deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Caps instead took a much cheaper center in Mikhail Grabovski. Grabovski should fill the role sooner rather than later, but he still remains a project. Besides the loss of Ribeiro, the nucleus of players that bought into Oates’ game plan remain and the team should look to build on last season’s late run.
The preseason comes to a conclusion in a few days, as Caps fans watched as the team sits at a 3-0-3. Washington opens their season Tuesday, October 1st, with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and will begin their inaugural season as a member of the metropolitan Conference.