This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Washington CapitalsOverall: 47 Title track: 96 Ownership: 19 Coaching: 21 Players: 43 Fan relations: 19 Affordability: 89 Stadium experience: 54 Bang for the buck: 50 Change from last year: +8Despite another spirit-crushing playoff defeat by the rival Penguins, Year 2 of the Barry Trotz era went even better than the first. The Capitals 120 points landed them the Presidents Trophy as the NHLs regular-season champion, and they might have made a real run at the Stanley Cup had they not been drawn, because of the leagues convoluted playoff format, against red-hot Pittsburgh in the second round. Still, Washingtons continued improvement didnt go unnoticed in our standings.Whats goodTheir team lost to the Pens for the eighth time in nine postseason tries, but long-suffering Caps fans remain fully behind Trotz, whose coaching rank remains near the top 20 in sports. Ownership continues to climb (now at 19th, seven places over 2015) thanks to the shrewd stewardship of Ted Leonsis, whos as engaged and approachable as any check-signer in hockey. Combined with the thrilling on-ice product -- captain Alex Ovechkin led the league in goals for the fourth straight year, while Braden Holtby won the Vezina Trophy as the NHLs top goalie -- Leonsis attention to detail helped fan relations (No. 19) enjoy a two-spot bump.Whats badThe closest the Caps got to a Cup in their 40 seasons was a runner-up finish in 1998, when they got swept by the Red Wings in the finals. Perhaps the decades of postseason disappointments have taken a toll. Whatever the reason, fans in the District are surprisingly fatalistic about their future, with a title track that seems absurdly low (96th!) for a team that finally looked like a legitimate contender last year. Meantime, it still isnt cheap to attend games at the Verizon Center -- the Caps rank just 89th in affordability. Among the 23 U.S.-based NHL teams, only five teams have a higher average ticket price ($71).Whats newAt least Caps fans get value for their money. Ovechkin is the most exciting player in the game. Trotzs up-tempo ethos creates offense. (Washington had a plus-59 goal differential last season, 17 more than the next highest-scoring team.) They lost a league-low eight games last season. And Holtbys otherworldly shot-stopping helped Ovi and Co. allow fewer than 200 goals against, one of three NHL teams to accomplish the feat. Its little surprise, then, that bang for the buck shot up 34 spots from a year ago.Next: New Jersey Devils?| Full rankings Cheap Nike Air Max Trainers Sale .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. Air Max Wholesale Free Shipping . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). http://www.airmaxclearance.com/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Air Max Clearance Sale . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Cheap Wholesale Air Max . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Tuesday, Ryen Russillo and Danny Kanell welcome ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder (1:30 p.m. ET), ESPNs Joe Tessitore (2:00), Sports Illustrateds Andy Staples (2:30) and ESPN NFL analyst Trent Dilfer (3:15).Todays main topics:? MLB playoffs? Big 12 decides against expansionText us at 73776 ((msg&data rates may apply) or tweet us at twitter.ddddddddddddcom/RussilloShow -- well be with you from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. ' ' '