The Capitals won't make the playoffs unless they fix special teams

"The 2025-26 Washington Capitals are so disjointed. Their five-on-five play and power play/penalty kill feel like two different teams. Five-on-five is great; it's special teams that are deciding close games. It's special teams that are why the Caps rank 25th in points percentage. Even-strength play has been very good, but the team's losing record is having a reverse-halo effect on how we think of it."

"On pace to finish with 82 standings points, the Caps need to change their trajectory or else they'll miss the playoffs in the final year of Alex Ovechkin 's contract (and maybe career). Were they to miss the playoffs, that would be almost unprecedented for a team playing so well during five-on-five. Through 17 games, the Caps have controlled 57.3 percent of the expected goals during five-on-five - meaning they have the puck more and do more with it than their opponents."

The Washington Capitals control a large share of five-on-five play, registering 57.3 percent of expected goals through 17 games and a 61.0 percent actual-goal percentage aided by Logan Thompson's goaltending. The team struggles on special teams, going 0-for-2 on the power play in the latest game while surrendering two power-play goals and ranking 25th in points percentage. The contrast between strong even-strength performance and weak special teams produces a disjointed roster identity and a reverse-halo effect on perception. On pace for 82 standings points, the team risks missing the playoffs during Alex Ovechkin's final contract year.

Read at RMNB