The Washington Capitals came into Monday night’s action on a six game winning streak, looking to make it seven against the mediocre Arizona Coyotes. A few unlucky bounces here and a few huge saves from Antti Raanta there, and the Caps fell 4-3 to the Coyotes in a game decided by the shootout.
The Yotes out-shot the Caps 35 to 34, but were out-attempted at five-on-five 52 to 43.
- There have been better played games by the Caps this season, but I still felt like they did enough to end up the victors in this one. They just could not buy a bounce and Antti Raanta was absolutely unsolvable for portions of the game. That short spell to start the second period eventually sank the good guys if “sinking” in this realm of discussion is only earning one point on the evening. Dominant bookend periods, two reviewed calls against, a bunch of posts hit…what are you gonna do? Hockey gods will give them one back in the near future.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov looked like a man possessed. I don’t think we’ve seen Kuzy moving and grooving like that since the Cup Final win and especially since the concussion he suffered last season. He now has nine points in his last four games and has combined with Tom Wilson and Jakub Vrana for 26 points in their last five games. That trio is firing on all cylinders right now and Kuzy is leading the charge.
- Good news, the Caps have earned at least one point in their last twelve games (10-0-2). That is good.
This is the first time this has occured in the NHL since the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2005-06 season (12 straight, Oct. 27 through Nov. 19) and the second time since 1993-94.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 12, 2019
- The Caps did not score a goal in the first period. That is the first period that they haven’t scored at least one goal in since the third period on October 24 against the Edmonton Oilers. That was an 18-period goal scoring streak.
- Richard Panik made his return to the lineup after missing ten games due to an upper body injury. His counting stats in terms of shot attempts, scoring chances, and high danger chances looked good, but I personally didn’t really notice him the entire game. He still needs time to gel with his new club.
- Alex Ovechkin had seven shots on goal, 10 individual shot attempts, and seven individual scoring chances. Another Ovi goal run is coming.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-reference.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Coyotes
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
