The Washington Capitals have lost two games in a row for just the second time this season. Washington dropped a 3-2 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, allowing three unanswered goals in the third period.
Every NHL team can have their night and beat any other NHL team. The holiday break is coming at the right time for the Caps.
- The Capitals had 11 shots on goal and were out-attempted 42-22 and out-chanced 19-9 through 40 minutes. Yet, they were up 2-0. In the third period, they recorded 10 shots on goal, out-attempted Chicago 25-11, and out-chanced them 15-4. They left the period with a 3-2 loss. That’s hockey, baby. Sometimes, none of it makes sense. I really would not be too worried about this loss, especially with the weird travel. It was the team’s fourth game in six days.
- I thought Pierre-Luc Dubois was the only consistent Caps player in the entire game. He scored his fifth goal of the season and the Capitals had a 4-0 advantage in five-on-five high-danger chances with him on the ice. He’s just been so good this year.
- The penalty kill recovered from the goal allowed against Dallas to kill off four penalties. The power play did not bounce back, though, as they were 0-for-3 and allowed a shorthanded goal. Perhaps the worst shift of Jakob Chychrun’s season? He was a minus-3 overall in the loss.
- Jakub Vrana played just 8:10 in the loss. I think the Capitals may look to find another solution at third-line left wing at some point here soon because I’m not sure Spencer Carbery loves his current options. Whether that’s inside the organization or not…I don’t know. I hear there’s a certain Finnish guy in New York who is pretty disgruntled. Ryan Leonard is coming eventually, but that’s going to be a long wait until April.
- The Capitals had beaten the Blackhawks four times in a row until this loss. This was Chicago’s first win against the Caps since December 15, 2021. This was their first regulation win against the Caps since January 20, 2019.
- No goals in his last five games for Connor McMichael. His previous longest streak without a goal this season was just three games.
