Capitals Discipline Vastly Improved

One reason behind Washington's success in Season 5 was surely an improved level of discipline on the ice. After being third worst in penalty minutes with 22.1 per game in Season 4, the Caps zoomed to second best in Season 5 with just 7.9 per game. With nearly 14 fewer penalty minutes per game and an improved penalty kill, Washington gave up far fewer goals while a man down than the previous season.

"Last season we took so many penalties, it was really an uphill battle," GM John Henry said. Only Minnesota took more penalties last season with 36 minutes per game. Atlanta tied Washington at 22.1. "I look at those numbers now and it's just unbelievable, fully a third of the game we had a man in the box. You simply can't win with any consistency that way."

Flash forward a season and Henry is a much happier GM. "It's really amazing the difference. From 22.1 to 7.9 minutes per game. We can still improve on the PK, but at least now we're not just killing ourselves over and over with stupid penalties. We moved some guys who were problematic last year and really emphasized not taking dumb penalties this year. The guys responded and we're 13 points better and fifth in the conference."