5 Things the Washington Capitals Must Do to Make the 2015-16 NHL Playoffs

By Darrell Samuels

5 Things the Washington Capitals Must Do to Make the 2015-16 NHL Playoffs

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals — Since the 2004-05 NHL lockout, the Washington Capitals became one of the top Eastern Conference teams. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are two phenomenal Washington forwards. They have had five head coaches and little success in the playoffs. Washington has a pretty good team for the new season and the following five things must be done to make the playoffs.

5. Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie Must Produce

TJ Oshie, Washington Capitals

5. Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie Must Produce

TJ Oshie, Washington Capitals — During the summer of 2015, the Capitals made two big acquisitions by signing Williams as a free agent and making a blockbuster trade moving Oshie to the U.S. capital city. Williams, a former Kings player, is coming off an 81- game 41-point season and Oshie, a former St. Louis Blues forward, played in 72 games and finished the campaign with 55 points. Both men need to produce for their new roster.

4. Defenseman John Carlson can provide the leadership lost by Mike Green

John Carlson, Washington Capitals

4. Defenseman John Carlson can provide the leadership lost by Mike Green

John Carlson, Washington Capitals — Long-time defenseman Mike Green bolted from the Washington Capitals to the Detroit Red Wings, as a free agent this summer. Questions were always there as to who would step in to provide the leadership lost on the blue line. Carlson and Matt Niskanen are the veteran defensemen on the Capitals' roster and Carlson needs to provide the leadership lost by Green.

3. Goaltender Braden Holtby needs to be successful

Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

3. Goaltender Braden Holtby needs to be successful

Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals — Goalie Holtby has started seven of the team's first eight games and already has five wins after the first month of the new season. Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) and Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) are two of the best goalies currently playing within the NHL. If the Capitals hope to eliminate one or both from the playoffs, Holtby needs to take the league by surprise and be talked about in the same conversation as these great goalies.

2. Head coach Barry Trotz can elevate this team to the next level

Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals

2. Head coach Barry Trotz can elevate this team to the next level

Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals — Since superstar Alex Ovechkin's arrival into the NHL, there have been four head coaches that have failed to win a Stanley Cup. Head coach Barry Trotz, formerly of the Nashville Predators, has had a successful tenure in Tennessee. Trotz is in his second year in Washington and took the team to semifinals before losing to the New York Rangers in seven games. The Capitals will be relying upon Trotz.

1. Superstar Alex Ovechkin has to step up

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

1. Superstar Alex Ovechkin has to step up

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals — Ovechkin arrived into the NHL and comparisons were immediately made between him and Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar Sidney Crosby. Prior to this season, he has put up 895 points in 760 regular season games in Washington and has never been able to lead the team past the Conference Semifinals. He is one of the best ever to lace up the skates, but his play seems to decline each time they make the playoffs.

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