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Capitals Power Rankings Roundup: Week 26

Outlet This Week Last Week What They’re Saying
B/R logo 2 1 Big picture

Washington continues to be unmatched in the overall NHL standings. With 111 points, it has a 12-point lead on its nearest rivals, all in the West; in the East, the Rangers come closest to competing, and they are 16 points back.

However, the Caps are also in a slight slump, having lost two of their last four and four of their last eight games, including a 4-0 defeat on Saturday at the hands of the Blues.

By the Numbers

Offence has been somewhat hard to come by of late; in eight of Washington’s last 10 games the team has scored two or fewer goals.

Even Alex Ovechkin has just two goals in his last 11 games, a rare cold streak for him this season. (March 28)

CBS Sports logo 1 1 Washington clinched the Presidents’ Trophy Monday night by rolling past the Columbus Blue Jackets and improving to 54-16-5. They’re 14 points clear of the field and can rest up ahead of their playoff run. (March 29)
CSNMA Logo 3 3 John Carlson is back and the top team in the standings has gotten even better. The only problem for the Caps is staying motivated. (March 28)
1 2 Clinched Eastern Conference title. Caps have eight games remaining and will next face the Blue Jackets on Monday. Still waiting to clinch the Presidents’ Trophy and with a win against the Blue Jackets on Monday, Washington can clinch home-ice advantage throughout the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. Capitals forward T.J. Oshie has missed the last two games with the flu. (March 28)
THN Logo 3 4 How good have the Capitals been this season? Well, they clinched the Presidents’ Trophy before any other team in the Eastern Conference had clinched a playoff spot. (March 30)
NESN logo 1 1 The Capitals have secured home ice throughout the playoffs as Presidents’ Trophy winners. Their next challenge before Round 1 is getting everyone as healthy as possible. (March 30)
1 1 Hit: The Capitals as a whole are currently healthy, and since the Presidents’ Trophy is wrapped up coach Barry Trotz can start resting players if necessary.

Miss: Alex Ovechkin did score Wednesday, but it was only his fourth goal in the past 16 games. He needs to heat up before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (March 31)

Score logo 5 1 While they don’t appear to be showcasing the same firepower they did during the start of the season, the Capitals should still be considered Cup favorites. (March 30)
SI Logo 1 1 The stat nerds may be waving their arms and shouting about underlying numbers, but here’s the only thing that matters right now: The Caps are the Presidents’ Trophy winners. That’s a truly remarkable achievement and one that should be savored, no matter what happens next. Last week: 3-1-0 (March 29)
Sportsnet logo 1 (Last updated March 9… guess they’re done for the year)
1 1 The Capitals are 5-2 in the past seven games, got their number one defenceman back from injury and are running away atop the standings, so what could be wrong? Well, G Braden Holtby has played better recently, but has a .907 save percentage since mid-January, Alex Ovechkin has one goal and zero assists in his past six games and Washington has been a middling possession team over the past 25 games. They’re number one, but not without flaws.

Key Injuries: None (March 30)

USAT logo 1 Safely in a playoff spot, the Capitals need to improve their early-game play to avoid another postseason upset. (Last updated March 21)

Click on logos for links to full power rankings.

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