As a team, the Capitals deserve glowing reviews through their first 22 games. I’m talking A- or B+ at the lowest. They’re tops in the Metro in points per game, they’re in the top five in most stats, and now even Vegas thinks they’re a contender.
We’re using this momentary lull between games to assess the team on an individual level. Every player is taking home a report card today, and mommy and daddy are hoping they get high marks.
Karl AlznerA
2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
On the Caps’ presumptive new shutdown D pairing and contributing to the offense, Alzner has really kicked it up a notch this season. He’s A1. — Peter
Nick BackstromA
8 goals, 12 assists, 20 points
That he’s not considered far and away the best player on this team is both a bummer and a testament to how good this team is. — Peter
Jay BeagleC
3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points
Barry Trotz called Beags “the biggest signing” of the offseason on Monday. The C is for compete. — Chris
Andre BurakovskyC-
2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points
He had a really slow start, was deservedly scratched, but has looked more like the 2014-15 version lately. — Pat
John CarlsonC
4 goals, 14 assists, 18 points
Despite putting up a ton of points, I’ve been disappointed by Carlson’s time apart from Orpik this year. — Peter
Jason ChimeraA
7 goals, 7 assists, 14 points
Despite losing twinsie Joel Ward, Chimera has remained unstoppable due to his new BFF, Evgeny Kuznetsov. — Ian
Taylor ChorneyB
0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points
Chorney’s playing so well, soon everyone will know his name. — Nathan
Stanislav GalievC
0 goals, 1 assists, 1 points
Galiev has barely played, but when he’s been given an opportunity, he’s looked dangerous at times. — Ian
Philipp GrubauerB
.900 save %, 2-1-1 record
He’s been good when called upon. Ideal situation is he inflates value over next season or two and is flipped to address needs. — Pat
Braden HoltbyB
.926 save %, 15-4-0 record
He’s elite, but I don’t want to give Holtby a good grade because I hear he never wants to peak. — Peter
Marcus JohanssonB
5 goals, 8 assists, 13 points
He’s racking up 5v5 assists at a better rate than everyone except Kuznetsov. If he can start shooting as much as he did in 14-15, he’s an A. — Pat
Evgeny KuznetsovA
8 goals, 18 assists, 26 points
If your expectations weren’t already unreasonable high, they probably are now. — Nathan
Brooks LaichB
1 goals, 2 assists, 3 points
His contract is bad, yes, but Laich has played well on the fourth line with 43 and 46. Plus he’s marrying a movie star and has a drone. — Ian
Michael LattaB-
1 goals, 2 assists, 3 points
If Latts could develop a sick shootout move, he might be the next Matt Hendricks. — Nathan
Matt NiskanenB+
2 goals, 10 assists, 12 points
He’s quietly become the team’s top defender. He plays the most minutes and handles them well. One knock: Leaves me wanting more offense. — Pat
Dmitry OrlovA
3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points
Orlov and Schmidt have dominated as a third pair. Scoring in three straight, Orly was nicknamed Houdini after a now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t goal. — Ian
Brooks OrpikINCOMPLETE
1 goals, 2 assists, 3 points
Or maybe a K for Kale, which gritty ol’ Orpik needs to eat a lot of to recover from this pestering injury. — Ian
TJ OshieB
6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points
The Teej isn’t on pace for 30 goals yet, but he totally will be by the end of the season. — Nathan
Alex OvechkinA
12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points
Alex Ovechkin continues to be one of the league’s best goal scorers at age 30, which is really, really freaking old. — Chris
Nate SchmidtA++
1 goals, 3 assists, 4 points
Schmidt is a slick possession monster and a sweetheart. With Orpik out, he’s finally getting his due. — Chris
Justin WilliamsA+
7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points
Williams, who has not lost a step, is the best forechecker in the league and he’s quietly fifth on the team in points. — Ian
Tom WilsonC
1 goals, 5 assists, 6 points
Wilson was heading in a very dangerous direction. In the last few games, he’s decided to play hockey, which is a good sign for his career. — Chris
Barry TrotzB+
It’d be an A if not for that god awful third line. Trotz has maximized his message/60 putting it on shirts, hats, and locker room signs. — Ian
Brian MacLellanA
The Caps are arguably the best team in the East because of GMBM’s deft summer acquisitions of TJ Oshie and Justin Williams. — Ian
Your turn: Tell us your own grades for the Caps or just tell us where we were wrong.
