5 Game Benchmark: Games 1-5

05-06 Record: 2-1-2 (6 points)
06-07 Record: 3-2-0 (6 points)

05-06 Record Projection: 33-16-33 (99 Points)
06-07 Record Projection: 49-33-0 (98 Points)

05-06 Goals For: 17
06-07 Goals For: 11

05-06 Goals Against: 15
06-07 Goals Against: 12

05-06 Shots For/Game: 30.4 (152 total shots for)
06-07 Shots For/Game: 27.2 (136 total shots for)

05-06 Shots Against/Game: 33.6 (168 total shots against)
06-07 Shots Against/Game: 35.4 (177 total shots against)

05-06 Power Play Efficiency: 11.1% (4 goals, 36 Power Play Chances)
06-07 Power Play Efficiency: 15.4% (4 goals, 26 Power Play Chances)

05-06 Penalty Kill Efficiency: 77.8% (6 goals, 27 Times Shorthanded)
06-07 Penalty Kill Efficiency: 81.5% (5 goals, 27 Times Shorthanded)

So Ted wasn't exactly right that the rebuild is over, since the Caps apparently got off to a comparable if not better start, last year. But this year, the Special Teams have gotten off to a better start. The Capitals need to especially work on limiting shots and getting more rubber on net (which will lead to more goals). Still, the Caps were competitive until December of last year, so getting off to the same pace isn't a bad thing. They just need to keep it going past New Years.