Capitals showing signs of age but still have tools to take NHL East Division title

Editor’s note: The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the seventh in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they’ll face eight times apiece in the East Division.

Here’s some baseless speculation that could cause severe nausea in the 412 and 724 area codes.

Looking for a veteran goaltender to pair with emerging youngster Ilya Samsonov, the Washington Capitals signed Henrik Lundqvist in October. Then Lundqvist announced he would miss this season because of a heart condition, so the help-wanted sign is out again.

Out in the desert, the Vegas Golden Knights are looking to trim payroll to fit under the salary cap.

The numbers might not add up because the Capitals are close to the cap themselves, and they already brought in Craig Anderson on a tryout, but imagine a certain goaltender with three Stanley Cup rings and a famous smile pulling on a red, white and blue jersey at some point this season. Yeah, keep the Pepto handy.

That juicy imaginary storyline aside, the Capitals have bigger fish to fry than their backup goaltending situation.

They looked lethargic during a first-round playoff loss to the New York Islanders in the bubble last fall. This being the NHL, their coach, Todd Reirden, paid for it with his job.

With Peter Laviolette moving in as his replacement, the Capitals have a fundamental question to answer, and it’s a question that should sound familiar to local hockey fans.

Does this veteran team have another championship run left in it?

There are plenty of signs pointing to yes.

The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division last season. Alex Ovechkin scored 48 goals in 68 games. John Carlson led NHL defensemen in scoring by 10 points. They don’t have the look of a team on its last legs.

Still, the defense is a little leaky, and the goaltending is unproven. Signing Justin Schultz — at least the version of Schultz who played for the Penguins the past two seasons — isn’t likely to bring their goals-against total down. Adding 43-year-old Zdeno Chara in a surprise signing Wednesday is an intriguing stab at a solution.

CAPITALS AT A GLANCE

Last year: 41-20-8 (90 points)

vs. Penguins last year: 2-1-0

Matchup to watch: Tom Wilson vs. common decency

Key losses: Braden Holtby was a Capitals cornerstone before signing with Vancouver as a free agent. He hasn’t been so hot the last couple of years, so it’s probably not as big a loss as it sounds. Radko Gudas signed with Florida, and Ilya Kovalchuk headed back to Russia. Todd Reirden is a Penguins assistant again.

Key additions: It’s a Penguins Cup reunion with Justin Schultz and Conor Sheary. Zdeno Chara doesn’t improve the roster’s average age, of course, but he still is a physical force.

What they’re saying: “Wash is very tough, and they play that hard game. Always playing against them, it was tough going into Washington and playing them. It’s exciting to be on their side now. I couldn’t be more excited to be a Capital.” — Schultz

Trophy contenders: Ilya Samsonov (Vezina: 15-1), John Carlson (Norris: 9-1), Alex Ovechkin (Hart: 20-1), Nicklas Backstrom (115-1)

Odds to win Stanley Cup: +2400

Odds to win division: +500

Smart money: Someday, there will be a changing of the guard from teams like the Penguins and Capitals to teams like the Rangers and Devils. But that day isn’t today. Expect the Capitals to score a ton of goals and contend for a division title.