Photos: Amanda Bowen

The Washington Capitals have won 47 of their first 63 games. Their 98 standings points are most in the NHL. The second place team, the Chicago Blackhawks, trail the Caps by 13 points. All year, the Caps have exhibited a razor-sharp focus.

But they’ve also managed to keep things fun and light when necessary. Earlier this week, long-time Capital Brooks Laich and prospect defenseman Connor Carrick were traded away to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Andre Burakovsky helped keep the boys’ spirits up.

Burakovsky has already befriended new addition Mike Weber, and he tends to poke his way into everyone’s business. Burakovsky and Braden Holtby have formed a playful friendship. Most practices end with some stick jabs and jokes between the two, Burakovsky sometimes interrupting Holtby’s conversations with Coach Korn — post practice, of course. Burakovsky even chatted Holtby up in the middle of some post-practice Holtbyisms. Judging from the smile on Korn’s face, whatever the Burracuda said must have been great.

Photos