Is this finally the year the Washington Capitals make a very deep playoff run?

The Washington Capitals in the past 3 years have been the most underachieving team in the NHL. In 2007-2008, they had a late season run to make the playoffs, but fell in Round 1 in 7 games against the Flyers, but that year they were the underdog in the series. However, since that playoff, expectations for the team grew and grew to the point where they finished 2nd in the east the following year and had to rally from a 3-1 deficit against the Rangers in Round 1. But, they were embarrassed by rival Pittsburgh in Round 2 at home in Game 7.

In 2009-2010, the Capitals won the President's Trophy for the NHL's best record, but they ran into a very hot goaltender in Jaroslav Halak of Montreal. Last season, the Capitals focused on one thing and that is improving their defensive play and penalty killing unit, which plagued them in their past playoff failures. They went on to have a top 5 penalty killing unit in the NHL and went on again to finishing 1st in the Eastern Conference. However, after they beat the Rangers in Round 1 in 5 games, they were embarrassed again in Round 2 and were swept by division rival Lightning. Many though that last season was the last straw for GM George McPhee and Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, but they are both back for another year and make no mistake, this year is for sure their last straw.

The Capitals needed to address many areas in the offseason including most of all, they need to be 100% healthy and ready to go. They went on to finally sign a goaltender they tried to acquire for so many years in Tomas Vokoun. Stability in goal was one of their main downswings in the playoffs. Also, they brought in some cup winning pedigree in acquiring Troy Brouwer from Chicago and signed Nashville's playoff standout Joel Ward. Others brought in were former fan favorite in Jeff Halpern and defenseman Roman Hamrlik.

Now, the next focus is which of their players can step up at the right time. The most scrutinized players besides Ovechkin are Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, who all need to put up the numbers they are accustomed to putting up when it counts most, which is in the playoffs. Tom Poti is questionable to return this season, but they do have Dennis Wideman and youngster John Carlson. There is not doubt they have the talent to win the cup, but they need to work on the will part and wanting to win more than the other team. The Pressure is on the Washington Capitals, now let's see if they can finally live up to all the hype.