While it may not be time to panic, an honest assessment of the Capitals heading into November certainly shows signs of concern. With a 5-4-2 record through 11 games, Washington’s 12 standings points have them in sixth place in the ever-competitive Metropolitan division (although they are tied with two other teams and just two points out of first).
More troubling than their spot in the standings is the composition of their roster in light of an ever-compounding list of injuries to key players up and down the lineup. While Washington knew that they would be heading into the year without the services of Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, and Carl Hagelin, the addition of John Carlson, T.