Despite dropping their first game of the season to the New Jersey Devils, the Capitals have had a pretty successful rest of their week. The Caps’ latest two wins have been spotlighted by Jakub Vrána scoring his first goal for the Caps since 2021, Alex Ovechkin becoming sixth player to tally 700 goals and 700 assists, Logan Thompson showing up his former team, and Charlie Lindgren getting his first win of the season. To put the cherry on top, the Capitals first two wins of the season were both against previously-undefeated teams (Vegas & Dallas).
Another headline getting perhaps less attention that it should is the physical play the Capitals have shown. In their last two games, the Caps have out-hit their opponents nearly three-fold.
| Game | Capitals Hits | Opponent Hits |
| Oct 15 (vs. VGK) | 24 | 9 |
| Oct 17 (vs. DAL) | 26 | 9 |
per ESPN
Alex Ovechkin is currently leading the team in hits (15), followed by Martin Fehérváry (10).
The Capitals also have the highest percentage of hits given in the NHL right now, at 66.36%. In other words, about 66% of all the hits in a game are the Capitals putting a hurtin’ on their opponents.
Critically, it’s not just a bunch of red-sweatered wrecking balls with skates. The Caps’ hits are timely. Hit a Golden Knight to knock him off the puck and create a turnover. Crush a Dallas Star against the boards and force him to cough up the puck. Be heavy at the blue line on a penalty kill and force your opponent out of the zone. Each hit is intentional and calculated.
Though we’re only a few games into the season, the heavy-hitting style of play from Capitals is an inkling of what their team identity could be for the rest of the year.
