Ivan Miroshnichenko will not suit up for the Washington Capitals when they take on the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night.
Head coach Spencer Carbery revealed during his pregame media availability that Miroshnichenko will be a healthy scratch. The young Russian has played in the team’s last 17 games but will be replaced in the lineup by Nicolas Aube-Kubel against Detroit. NAK will jump back into the fray after he sat out of the last three games as a healthy scratch.
Miroshnichenko is without a point in his last eight games and was recently demoted by Carbery in the Capitals’ lineup to the fourth line. The 20-year-old skated just 6:05 of ice time in the overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening.
Carbery explained that he believes Miroshnichenko has hit a proverbial wall early in his NHL career. The rookie bench boss did not rule out putting the rookie winger back in the lineup later this week.
“It’s to be expected,” Carbery said. “He’s been put in a real tough spot as a young player. Doesn’t have a long career in Hershey and playing in the American Hockey League – coming right over and being thrown into the fire. I thought he did a really good job early on but that’s to be expected especially as the level of play gets ratcheted up here right towards the end.
“Just felt like it’s been a little bit overwhelming for him at times of late so we’ll let him reset and he might be back in there against Buffalo. We’ll talk to him and work on the things that he needs to continue to work on. Hopefully, he can get back to that level but it’s challenging.”
While the entire Capitals team has struggled during their current six-game losing streak, Miroshnichenko’s success at five-on-five has cratered as time’s gone on. With him over the boards during those games, Washington has seen just 39.7 percent of the shot attempts, 32.7 percent of the expected goals, 45.8 percent of the scoring chances, and 40.7 percent of the high-danger chances.
Miroshnichenko has recorded six points (2g, 4a) in 21 total games with the Capitals this season. In Hershey, he has amassed 25 points (9g, 16a) in 47 games. He’s expected to return to the Bears for their playoff run.
