Washington Capitals Off to Strong Start, Head Coach Spencer Carbery Confident in Team’s Future
ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals have hit the ground running in the 2024-25 NHL season, boasting a remarkable 21-8-2 record through the first 31 games. With a .710 points percentage, the Capitals are currently third in the league and are on pace for a 116-point season — a feat that would mark their best campaign since their Presidents’ Trophy-winning 2016-17 season.
Despite facing their second multi-game losing streak of the season earlier this week with back-to-back losses to the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Spencer Carbery remains optimistic about his team’s long-term prospects. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Carbery dismissed any concern, emphasizing that the season’s journey is far from over.
“I’m confident in our group,” Carbery said. “It’s a long season and we’ve played well, putting ourselves in good spots. Losing — I thought we played a really good game in Dallas and just didn’t get the result. We were non-existent in Chicago, and you don’t get the result. But to draw conclusions about who we are based on the Chicago game would be idiotic. We haven’t shown that over the season.”
The Capitals’ early dominance has been a welcome turnaround after the team missed the playoffs in 2022-23, snapping an eight-year postseason streak. Last season, the Caps barely clinched a playoff spot, finishing the regular season with a win in Game 82. This year, however, the team looks poised for a strong playoff run, thanks in part to their newfound consistency and growth.
Carbery noted that many players are experiencing success at the top level for the first time in their careers, which adds an additional layer of complexity to their development.
“We’re learning how to be a top team in this league and do it consistently,” Carbery said. “Now, we’ve shown we can compete with the best, but we have to keep growing and adjusting. It’s a process, especially in an 82-game schedule. There will be ebbs and flows, but we need to stay consistent and get better every day.”
With the Capitals’ rise to the top of the standings, they are facing heightened expectations. Carbery noted that teams are now bringing their best efforts against Washington, something his players are learning to navigate.
“When you’ve got a target on your back, you’re going to get everybody’s best,” Carbery said. “We’ve noticed teams are defending us much harder. Early in the year, we were getting more odd-man rushes, breakaways, and two-on-ones. Against Dallas, we got zero odd-man rushes. We have to adjust, learn to create offense in these tougher situations, and keep finding ways to win.”
One key piece to the Capitals’ offensive puzzle is set to return soon. Alex Ovechkin, the team’s all-time leading scorer, is preparing for a potential return as early as this weekend. His addition could provide a major boost as Washington faces off against tough opponents in the coming days, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Boston Bruins before the holiday break.
The Capitals, firmly entrenched among the NHL’s elite teams, will look to continue their strong start and maintain their dominance as the season progresses. With Carbery’s leadership and a deep, talented roster, Washington’s potential for a deep playoff run is growing with each passing game.
