It won't be easy based off the first couple games for the Washington Capitals
Getting off to a good start is something that is very important in basically every sport. The reason is obvious. You don't need me telling you why. But I'm going to say why anyways. If you get off to a good start you can settle into the new year and some pressure is off of you. The opposite? Get off to a bad start and now you're chasing the season a little bit.
The absolute start of the season isn't crucial by any means. We can look at last years Capitals team for an example here. In the first five games of last season Washington was a not very good 1-3-1. Some of those losses were on the very bad side too. Like a 4-0 loss at home to the Penguins on opening night. Or a 6-1 defeat to the Senators five days later.
More than anything it's just important to not bury yourself in the early part of the season. The Capitals did not start well last year, but ended up making the playoffs anyways. They got off to a bad start, but ended the first month of the season 4-3-1.
This year I wouldn't be shocked if something similar happens. The Capitals have a bit of a rough schedule right off the hop. If the Capitals were to get off to a rocky start don't be surprised, and I would say don't panic.
The first four games of the season all come against what a lot of people might consider contenders.
There are a lot of people who are down on the Capitals this season. I am not one of them. I think the Caps will be a good team this season, and I am nearly ready to pen them into a playoff spot before the season even starts. Even though I think Washington will be a good team doesn't mean they shouldn't or couldn't lose to other great teams. That's what will face this team right out of the gate.
A lot of people like the New Jersey Devils this season. It's hard not to. They were great a couple of seasons ago. Made round two of the playoffs before having a down season last year for several reasons. They still have one of the games best in Jack Hughes. They have a nice set of players around him, like Dougie Hamilton, to name just one. They brought in a good goalie in Jacob Markstrom. They also hired Sheldon Keefe to be their new head coach. Keefe had a ton of success in Toronto, at least in the regular season.
While their opponent might not have been the strongest in the Buffalo Sabres, the Devils are already off to a 2-0 start. Both of those games were played in Czechia before the season started here in North America.
Good start for a team that a lot of people are high on. The Capitals will play them twice in the first four games of the season. Once at home in the season opener. The other on the road exactly one week later.
The Capitals could easy lose both of those games. The Devils are good. The Caps will have been off for a week, some players maybe even more than that. New Jersey will have played three games already, they will be already nice and warmed up. One of those games is on the road. Tough games. Two losses here shouldn't be surprising.
Between those two games it doesn't get a lot easier for the Capitals and it might get harder. After New Jersey on Saturday they then face off against the Vegas Golden Knights. They are coming off their 8-4 win against the Colorado Avalanche on opening night. After that they play the Dallas Stars, another team a lot of people would call a contender.
Would you be that disappointed if the Capitals lost both of those games? If I told you, "Hey the Caps lost tonight." I think you'd say, "Aw man. Who'd they play?" I would then say, "Dallas (or Vegas)" I think your next response would be something like, "Oh, that stinks!" or something along those lines, right?
If I told you the Capitals lost to the Sharks I think the response would be something like, "Ugh, really?" See the difference? If the Capitals lose to the Stars or Golden Knights you're not really that upset like you would be for most other teams.
I think the Capitals will be good, but I don't think some form of 0-4 is out of the question. Maybe 0-2-2. Maye 0-3-1. Or maybe they go 4-0. Who knows.
After this tough string of teams to open up the season Washington will then get a home and home against the Flyers on the 22nd and 23rd. There is your chance to get going if you have a rough start. They will need good games against them because waiting after that is another set of good teams. First up they go to Tampa on the 26th. Then they will have the rival Rangers waiting for them at home.
The Caps then finish the month of October on Halloween against the Canadiens of Montreal.
Not the easiest month I've ever seen. Yes, there are a couple of teams in there that the Caps could and probably should get wins against. But when they play good teams they play potentially the elite teams. There are no maybe good teams in there. Maybe good teams like Utah, or Detroit, or Ottawa. All teams some out there have said could make the playoffs or take a step up. The good teams they're facing are teams a lot of people are saying could go on to win the whole damn thing. Teams that should make a run in the spring.
Good starts are important. If the Capitals want to get off to a good start this season it look like they are going to have to get it the hard way.
