Can the Capitals capitalize (again) before it’s too late?

The NHL season is right around the corner, which means that it’s time for NHL Future Picks with  me, Sara Poraria! Up first, let’s dive right into the deep end and talk Stanley Cup predictions.

‍

I know what you’re thinking … it’s Tampa all the way here again…right? Wrong. Picking the two-time defending champs to three-peat is the easy way out — and with their odds — it’s honestly not even worth the wager.

‍

So what about the Toronto Maple Leafs, trying to end a near-55 year winless streak? (laughs) Yeah … probably not.

‍

One team I do like at good value, however, are the Washington Capitals, led by Alexander Ovechkin. With Ovi, Nicklas Backstrom, and TJ Oshie getting up there in age, their window to win is likely coming to a close pretty soon & they’ll be desperate to once again reach the promised land like they did just 3 seasons ago.

‍

If they get a bounce-back season from Evgeni Kuznetsov and their young tandem in goal — Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek — prove they’re the real deal, Washington may have what it takes to make one last run.

Here’s my pick - take the Caps to win the Stanley Cup at Plus Twenty Five Hundred.