Laviolette’s Caps: Defying Expectations

This was supposed to be the year the Washington Capitals struggle to make the playoffs.

Of course, that was also the case last year. And the year before. And maybe even the year before that. And in each of those years, not only did the Caps indeed qualify for the postseason, but they won their division, something they’ve done in each of the last five years now and ten of the last 13.

And here they are at the outset of this crazy season’s second half sitting atop the MassMutual East Division, with a two-in-five chance of staying there and a 93 percent likelihood of playing hockey beyond the last day of the regular season, according to The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn’s model:

Of course, this certainly could still be the year the Washington Capitals struggle to make the playoffs - they have a relatively tough remaining schedule, and with injuries, suspensions, COVID-related absences, a new coach, limited practice time, etc.