"The third line was arguably the team's biggest weakness in 2024-25, and while Hendrix Lapierre initially earned that 3C spot out of camp last year, it seemed to almost be decision by default and his struggles ultimately led to them bringing Lars Eller back into the fold. Eller wasn't really the solution there, either, and so the Caps struggled to put together the balanced, rolling-four-lines attack they wanted to have."
"A year later and, despite talk that Connor McMichael could slide back into the 3C role, Lapierre has once again stepped in - only this time you can't say he didn't earn it, as a strong training camp and preseason performance made him the ideal candidate to center a new-look trio. But earning the spot is just the first step, and it remains to be seen whether Lapierre has taken enough steps forward to be able to carry that line."
"For over a decade, John Carlson has been the backbone of the Caps' defense, and that will certainly be the case again this season. He has regularly led the team in ice time and scoring, putting up 51 points last year while averaging over 23 minutes a night. However, Carlson will be turning 36 in January, and having him play 23-25 minutes a night doesn't seem sustainable for much longer."
Third-line center remains a major concern after being the team's biggest weakness in 2024-25. Hendrix Lapierre won the 3C role again after a strong training camp and preseason, but consistency and ability to carry the line remain uncertain. Depth and a balanced, rolling-four-lines attack are essential for playoff advancement. John Carlson continues as the defensive backbone, producing 51 points and averaging over 23 minutes per night. Carlson will turn 36 in January, making heavy minutes potentially unsustainable. Managing Carlson's workload and finding a reliable defensive partner or rotation will be crucial to preserving his effectiveness.
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