3 Questions the Washington Capitals Must Answer Before the Season Begins – The Hockey Writers – Washington Capitals

After acquiring highly-priced wingers Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou this offseason, the Washington Capitals made it abundantly clear that missing the playoffs during the remainder of Alex Ovechkin’s NHL career is not an option. It will be head coach Spencer Carbery’s job to take the forward-heavy roster into a postseason contender from the Metropolitan Division.

Much like the 2025-26 campaign, it’s likely going to finish as a backyard brawl into the final days to claim a spot as one of the last eight teams standing in the Eastern Conference. There are three major questions Washington must answer early this season to be involved in the late-season postseason conversation.  

Who Gets the Puck in Washington? 

There are no fewer than six or seven Capitals used to having the puck on their stick during game days. Washington’s lineup is loaded with forwards who often fire the puck at the netminder.

According to NHL Edge Stats, Ovechkin led the Capitals with 244 shots on goal (SOG) and 61 high-danger scoring chances during the 2025-26 season. Those stats place in the 98th and 86th percentiles of the league, respectively. The veteran knows where to position himself to generate shots and scoring chances in the NHL, and Carbery often lets him loose in the offensive zone. 

Washington’s two high-ticket additions, Tuch and Kyrou, arrive after heavy shot volumes last season. Tuch scored 33 goals in Buffalo on 195 shots, including 66 high-danger scoring opportunities to place just outside of the 10% in the league. Meanwhile, Kyrou celebrated 18 goals on 173 SOG, an 87th percentile ranking at firing the puck on net in 2025-26. Combined, that’s over 365-plus more shots that need to be spread around the Capitals’ offensive group. 

We aren’t even done yet … far from it, actually. The following players from Washington all placed in the top 25% of the league in shots on goal in 2025-26: Aliaksei Protas (159 SOG, 87th percentile), Anthony Beauvillier (155 SOG, 82nd), Tom Wilson (155 SOG, 81st), Ryan Leonard (153 SOG, 82nd), and Dylan Strome (143, 78th). Another newcomer, Boone Jenner, fell just outside that grouping with 132 shots and a 73rd percentile ranking last season. 

Washington directed 2,300 pucks on net last season. These 10 skaters combined for 1,728 SOG during the 2025-26 campaign, so there will have to be buy-in and sacrifice along the way to make the offense work for the Capitals this fall. 

How Much Can the Capitals Lean on Cole Hutson?  

Rookie Cole Hutson joined Washington for the stretch run last season. He scored three goals and totaled 10 points in 14 games as Washington came up short in a run at the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. But jumping into the end of a season when NHL players are already tired and worn out from 70-plus physical clashes represents a different challenge for the 20-year-old defender. 

Hutson’s skating bursts were NHL quality last season, with multiple examples of high-end speed: two 22-plus miles per hour bursts, 11 records of between 20-22 mph, and 81 examples of 18-20 mph. His small sample would project to approximately 11 bursts over 22-plus mph in an 82-game schedule, a number tied with Philip Broberg for fifth-best behind several stars of the sport: Matthew Schaefer (33), Jake Sanderson (31), Cale Makar (25), and Erik Karlsson (19). 

Can Hutson operate second-unit power play duties behind Chychrun next season? Chychrun easily has the top-unit on lockdown after leading the NHL in scoring by defenseman in 2025-26. It could be a massive boost for the 25th-ranked man advantage unit in the league last season.

Does Charlie Lindgren Regain His Form?

Washington was so enamored with its goaltending situation that general manager Chris Patrick signed both Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren to multi-year contract extensions within a few weeks of each other in early 2025. The plan has worked perfectly for Thompson, who has taken over as the unquestioned starter in the crease heading into 2026-27. His rise to starting status was aided by a step back from Lindgren last season.

The 32-year-old finished his fourth season with a 9-8-3 record in 21 appearances with career-worst marks in goals-against average (3.52 GAA) and save percentage (.879 SV%). Patrick did not upgrade his goalie situation this offseason, which showcases faith that the underrated goalie can rebound from a frustrating season. A return to his career averages of 2.87 GAA and .902 SV% would go a long way toward restoring the Capitals to the elite in the Eastern Conference. 

Clay Stevenson looms as the third option between the pipes in Washington. He posted a 3-1-0 record, a 2.00 GAA, and a .912 SV% at the end of last season in brief NHL duty. The 6-foot-4 netminder has backstopped the Hershey Bears to 36 wins over the last two seasons. Stevenson would have to steal Lindgren’s job with the NHL veteran under contract in Washington through the 2027-28 season. 

These three questions will be key components to how the season unfolds for Washington. The Capitals have retooled their offense, featuring one of the heaviest groups in the NHL to play against. With additional contributions from a full season of Hutson and a rebound campaign from Lindgren, Washington appears to be well-suited for a playoff return in the spring of 2027.