With their 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday, the Washington Capitals’ record is 3-5-2 over the last ten games with just two regulation wins. Twenty days ago they were on a 107-point pace. Now it’s 95 points.
The Washington Capitals are a playoff bubble team, and that might be putting it too kindly. They’ve been getting worse.
Capitals rank in each month
| Statistic | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5v5 expected goals | 3rd | 8th | 16th |
| 5v5 actual goals | 3rd | 2nd | 15th |
| Power play | 26th | 29th | 26th |
| Penalty kill | 25th | 30th | 7th |
Their strength at even strength is gone. In expected-goal share, where higher is better and fifty percent means even, they went from 57 percent to 53 percent, and now they’re under 50. Same story on the scoreboard, where they’ve dropped from elite territory to hey, maybe we can sneak into the playoffs and make some noise if we’re lucky.
They’ve never had a good power play. Insofar as their penalty kill is good now, it’s entirely to the credit of the goalies, Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, who saved 66 of 73 shots in December.
Another way of putting it: The Washington Capitals once were chasing the Colorado Avalanche. Now they’re barely keeping pace with the San Jose Sharks (both .500 this month).
Some facts:
- The NHL’s roster freeze ended 2 days ago.
- The Olympics start in 38 days.
- The trade deadline is in 66 days.
- The Caps have seven players listed at the center position.
Pick up the phone. Make a trade. Let’s go.
