WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals have run the gamut of postseason expectation over the last decade. From their 121-point, Presidents’ Trophy-winning season in 2009-10 to their 92-point 2011-12 campaign, no matter what the hype has been coming in, they haven’t advanced past the conference semifinals. And they might not again.

But as they open the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday against the New York Islanders at Verizon Center, there’s reason to believe this team has the right components to make a deep run.

Some are obvious to all; some are more obscure, strengths that fly under the radar. Click through the gallery to see each one.