You could argue that Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals haven't exactly been playoff beasts the past couple of years.

In fact, you could really make that argument since the Capitals won the Cup in 2018. Five one-and-dones and a one missed playoff tend to give that perception.

But the Capitals haven't been this good since they won the Cup. And Ovechkin hasn't been this inspired. Fresh off breaking the all-time goals record, Ovechkin had two goals, including the overtime-winner, in Game 1 of the Caps' first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Ovechkin and the rest of the Capitals look as though they know they have a chance to accomplish something special in 2025. And that kind of feeling can go a long way.

Today's video column has more.

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