Washington Capitals Rework Power Play for 2026-27 Season

With only two preseason games remaining before the 2026-27 NHL season begins, the Washington Capitals are focusing on crucial adjustments. Among the key areas needing refinement is the power play, which proved to be a significant factor in the team missing the playoffs last season.

Despite finishing with a .579 win percentage, the Capitals fell three points short of a postseason berth. A more effective power play could have secured the necessary wins. The team converted just 17.8% of their man-advantage opportunities, ranking 25th in the league. In a competitive Metropolitan Division, every point is vital. Improved scoring on the power play could have translated to more victories and a playoff spot.

This season, the Capitals are determined to contend for the Stanley Cup. Significant offseason moves indicate their commitment. With what is likely Alex Ovechkin's final season, the team aims to give him a strong opportunity for a championship run.

Even with last season's power-play shortcomings, the team remained competitive for much of the year, at times sitting in the top three of the division and contending for a playoff spot until the end. Their goaltending, defense, and forward group provided a solid foundation.

Forward Dylan Strome acknowledged the team's struggles in regaining puck possession and maintaining control against penalty-killing units. "I think we've just got to have that mentality of when the puck gets lost, we need to find a way to get it back," he stated. "Last year was too much standing around and too much just accepting that if off a shot, they clear it, it’s like, ‘Oh well, whatever.’ But this year we’ll try to go into a little bit of a different mindset and how we’re going to get pucks back and keep plays alive."

The Capitals are refining their power play to complement their new, skilled roster. Goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are in place, supported by a mix of veteran players and new additions.

Assistant coach Ray Bennett is overseeing the power-play adjustments during preseason. Two distinct units have formed: one with established veterans and another with newer players. The first unit includes Ovechkin, Strome, Jakob Chychrun, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson, who have shared time on power plays and played together for several seasons. Head coach Spencer Carbery noted the familiarity and communication within this group, highlighting chemistry as a key factor.

The second unit comprises Ryan Leonard, Cole Hutson, Ilya Protas, Jordan Kyrou, and Alex Tuch. While less experienced as a group, each player offers unique skills. Chemistry is expected to develop through continued practice and communication.

Both units are designed similarly, each featuring a left-handed defenseman (Chychrun and Hutson), a physical player (Wilson and Protas), and three forwards skilled in scoring and playmaking. The combination of the veteran unit's established chemistry and the newcomers' fresh approach is expected to significantly improve the power play this season.

Cole Hutson, in particular, demonstrated his impact on the power play during his 14-game stint late last season. The Capitals converted 26.3% of their power plays during that period, with Hutson contributing to six of 10 power-play goals. He appears to be a crucial piece in rebuilding the power play for the team's playoff aspirations.

In the past eight seasons, Washington has only achieved a top-10 power-play conversion rate once (2020-21). The team, under Bennett and Carbery, is focused on maximizing every opportunity this season to climb the standings.