Are the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning the best regular season team in the cap era?

[justafan22]

They're on pace to break records, and have the likely hart candidate.

The 2009-10 Capitals with 121 points, 2005-06 Red Wings, 124 points are the only two that come close.

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[Silky mitts]

So much stronger than that Caps team in goal

 

[justafan22]

So much stronger than that Caps team in goal

Yeah, the 2015-16 Capitals might be better overall in terms of overall composition.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Yes, but as oddly as it sounds, I wouldn't say they were the best team overall throughout the line-up. That 05-06 Detroit team man..

 

[Silky mitts]

Yeah, the 2015-16 Capitals might be better overall in terms of overall composition.

16-17 team had a better record but Ovy, Kuzy, and Carlson weren’t great that year, I voted yes for Tampa

 

[Zanon]

The 2010-2011 Vancouver Canucks were first in basically every team statistic and had multiple award nominees and winners. They also came one win away from winning the Cup with a depleted, injured roster.

 

[Rockdan]

I'd say along with the two you mentioned, the 2012-13 Blackhawks also come close, but that was a shortened season. They had 36 wins after 48 games, which is the same as this Lightning team at that point.

The Lightning are on pace for 61 wins, and if they keep that pace until the end of the season, then there shouldn't be any debate about this.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

They're on pace to break records, and have the likely hart candidate.

The 2009-10 Capitals with 121 points, 2005-06 Red Wings, 124 points are the only two that come close.

Hard to believe both of those teams lost in the first round.

 

[daver]

Hard to believe both of those teams lost in the first round.

The Caps? Not really. Classic offense-only mentality that usually cannot deliver when things tighten up.

 

[A1LeafNation]

It will be an embarrassment if they don't win 4 straight series 4-0.

 

[justafan22]

It will be an embarrassment if they don't win 4 straight series 4-0.

If they don't win the cup it's a failure of a season.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

So much stronger than that Caps team in goal

And on D.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Caps 09/10 weren't a good team. Terrible D and goaltending.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Hard to believe both of those teams lost in the first round.

Reminds me of Finland in 2006 olympics. No reason to give it all in the regular season/preliminary round.

 

[Flair Hay]

Good for them if they are. But what do the two teams OP mentioned have in common...

Regular season dominance doesnt mean much without postseason success.

 

[Monk]

Hard for me to vote before the end of the season. I abstain, courteously.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I thought the 16/17 Caps stood out. Down year for Ovechkin, but they were dominant defensively while still being one of the top offensive teams, with more of a committee approach.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

The 2010-2011 Vancouver Canucks were first in basically every team statistic and had multiple award nominees and winners. They also came one win away from winning the Cup with a depleted, injured roster.

I think we're about on par with the '11 Canucks right now. We'll see where we end up.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

Easily for me.

 

[Varan]

The Caps? Not really. Classic offense-only mentality that usually cannot deliver when things tighten up.

tighten up? they dominated the Habs every game they played, even dropped a 50 shot total in one of the games, the only reason they lost was because Halak turned into Hasek and played inhuman hockey.

 

[Midnight Judges]

So much stronger than that Caps team in goal

Or on the blue line.

How many of those Caps defensemen are still in the NHL? Mike Green and....?

 

[Midnight Judges]

I thought the 16/17 Caps stood out. Down year for Ovechkin, but they were dominant defensively while still being one of the top offensive teams, with more of a committee approach.

They were easily a better team than the 09-10 Caps IMO.

 

[Mr Plow]

If they keep this up until the end of the season and finish with 125+ points then yes. Until then I'm going to have to vote no.

 

[bobholly39]

I brought this up a few weeks ago on the main boards....i think they might be.

Cup or no cup - I'm still not even sure I have them as the #1 cup favorites, based on Washington/Pittsburgh's recent playoff success - but i feel ok separating that from best regular season team. I think they are certainly one of them, and arguably #1 of cap era, yes.

 

[The Red Line]

They definitely have an argument, especially when you consider their success relative to the next best teams.

The Red Wings in 06 were absolutely incredible though when you look at that roster. At times they had 5 (or 6, depending on your stance on Osgood) for sure HoF players on the ice at the same time. Not sure that's ever happened outside of that team.

The Caps had a couple amazing seasons as well.

I voted no, mostly because the season isn't yet over. But they could very well end up the best. That said, none of that matters if they don't take home the cup.