The Caps downed the Sabres last night by a score of 4-1. Jakub Vrana scored his first NHL goal and Philipp Grubauer was again strong between the pipes. Perhaps the most encouraging news to come out of this win is the Caps converted two out of their three power play opportunities (and were successful killing four our of their five penalties). As we wrote about yesterday, special teams play has been the weak link for the team this season.
Here’s a look at some numbers from the win.
- The Caps edged the Sabres in 5-on-5 shot attempts 38-30. After adjusting for score effects, the Caps margin was 41-28.
- Here’s a look at shot attempt locations at 5-on-5
- Taylor Chorney had the highest on-ice shot attempt differential at +11.
- Karl Alzner and Marcus Johansson had the lowest on-ice shot attempt differential at -5.
- Chorney was on the ice for 18 Caps shot attempts, more than any other player.
- Alex Ovechkin led the Caps in shot attempts at 5-on-5 with six. Ovechkin’s five shots on goal also led the team.
- Chorney, Andre Burakovsky, and Nate Schmidt were on the ice for the most scoring chances by the Caps with five.
- Alzner was on the ice for seven Buffalo scoring chances, the most of any Caps player.
- To close, just going to leave this tweet, from before the game, here
Tom Wilson: 50.7 CF%, 8.3 shot attempts/60, Games: 25
Brett Connolly: 57.8 CF%, 10.8 shot attempts/60, Games: 15— pfholden.bsky.social (@pfholden) December 9, 2016
Full Coverage of Caps vs Sabres
Stats from hockeystats.ca, Corsica, and Natural Stat Trick
Headline photo: Bill Wippert
