The Washington Capitals are still struggling to find their game. The team’s matchup with the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night showcased just that as they limped through the first 40 minutes.
Getting a point out of the game was a win. They’ve gotta right the ship at some point here, though.
- The Capitals did not generate enough offense throughout this entire game. They created two high-danger chances at five-on-five in each period, and the Sabres finished up 1.9 to 1.45 in expected goals. Spencer Carbery mentioned postgame his whole team not being able to make any puck plays, and I entirely agree. There were so many missed connections that you’d think this game was taking place at BWI this past weekend.
- Another big night from the “second line,” comprised of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson, and Aliaksei Protas. The three combined for five points (3g, 2a) in the shootout loss. PLD played 17:16 of five-on-five ice time, second most on the team, and the Capitals saw positive differentials in shot attempts (+12), scoring chances (+3), and high-danger chances (+1) during those minutes. They also scored two goals and allowed zero.
- Protas’s two points (1g, 1a) on his 24th birthday see him now with 35 points (18g, 17a) in 40 games this year. He’s on pace for 72 points (37g, 35a). Dubois has 10 points (1g, 9a) in his last 10 games. Wilson has a goal in three straight games and is on pace for a career-best 37 markers.
- John Carlson chipped in two assists to reach 700 career points (154g, 456a). He is the 31st defenseman in NHL history to reach the milestone.
- The Capitals have lost four in a row on the road in Buffalo. Their last regulation road win against the Sabres came on April 9, 2021. Brenden Dillon, Alex Ovechkin, Justin Schultz, and Jakub Vrana were the goal scorers in a 4-3 victory. Vitek Vanecek made 30 saves in net.
- I hate the shootout in general, but like many Caps fans, I was definitely questioning Washington’s decision to choose two defensemen among their three shooters. Next time, I have to see Vrana and maybe five other guys before Carlson. I wonder how many times a team has chosen two defensemen that early in a shootout. I’m supposed to be the guy providing you with numbers, but that is probably impossible to find.
