The Washington Capitals enter the 2025-26 NHL season with momentum, depth, and plenty of intrigue. After last year’s playoff breakthrough and Alex Ovechkin’s historic goal-scoring milestone, Washington looks to push further in the Metro Division race. Key veterans like Dylan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and John Carlson will be tasked with leading the charge, while Martin Fehérváry, Rasmus Sandin, and Jakob Chychrun solidify one of the league’s most balanced blue lines. Goaltending stability with Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren provides the backbone, as Spencer Carbery looks to build on his Jack Adams-winning system.

But the biggest questions loom: how will Ovechkin’s usage evolve, can Dubois find another gear in Washington, and will the Caps’ middle-six deliver the secondary scoring they need? Emerging talents like Connor McMichael, Ryan Leonard, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Justin Sourdif could make the difference between a strong playoff berth and a true Cup run. With a projected 100–110 points, the Capitals’ mix of experience and youth makes them one of the NHL’s most intriguing teams heading into 2025-26.

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