Stanley Cups: 0

2008-'09 record: 50-24-8, 108 points (1st in Southeast, 2nd in East)

2008-'09 playoffs: Defeated New York Rangers 4-3; lost to Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3

General manager: George McPhee (404-370-128, 12th NHL year, 1st team)

Coach: Bruce Boudreau (87-41-15, 3rd NHL year, 1st team)

Captain: Chris Clark

Top returning scorer: LW Alexander Ovechkin (56 goals, 54 assists, 110 points)

Top returning goalie: Jose Theodore (32-17-5, 2.87, .900)

Key additions: RW Mike Knuble; C Brendan Morrison.

Key subtractions: C Sergei Fedorov; LW Donald Brashear; D Sami Lepisto; D Staffan Kronwall; G Brent Johnson; D Bryan Helmer; RW Viktor Kozlov.

Top line: LW Alexander Ovechkin, C Nicklas Backstrom, RW Mike Knuble

Top defensive pairing: Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Green

Goaltending: Theodore hit 30-win mark for third time in his career, but struggled down stretch and lost No. 1 job to rookie Simeon Varlamov. Former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will be given every chance to win back his spot to start season. Strong positioning and anticipation skills, but tends to be over-aggressive at times and loses track of rebounds.

Player to watch: G Simeon Varlamov. Promoted to No. 1 spot in Game 2 of playoffs and led Caps to within a win of Eastern Conference finals, though his play dropped off considerably in second round against Penguins. Very quick post to post and owner of tremendously fast reflexes and a snappy glovehand. Youngest Russian-born goalie to start an NHL game.

Icing: Ovechkin can't do much more than add Stanley Cup champion to his name. He has led the NHL in goals each of the last two seasons and captured the MVP award in both campaigns. Ovechkin is the first back-to-back Hart Trophy winner since Buffalo's Dominik Hasek in 1997 and 1998, and the 11th to accomplish the feat. Ovechkin has shown he can score from anywhere on the ice and isn't shy about letting the puck fly. He recorded 528 shots on goal last season, second only in NHL history to the 550 Phil Esposito had during the 1970-71 season. The Capitals also have strong offensive firepower up front with Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin.

Outlook: On the brink of greatness. The Caps took another step forward last season and look to be a team about to make their mark among the NHL elite.

Prediction: 107 points, 1st in Southeast, 1st seed in East.

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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