The Washington Capitals ended their homestand on a high note with a win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday. After falling behind early, the Caps fought back and took a two-goal lead in the third period that they never relinquished, beating the Panthers 4-3.
Really great performance. The final score flatters Florida.
- The Capitals dominated the 40:42 of this game played at five-on-five, particularly limiting the Panthers to only a few prime scoring opportunities in each period. Florida never recorded more than three five-on-five high-danger chances in a frame, and the Caps created eight of their own in the third period alone. Washington also finished ahead in overall five-on-five shot attempts (48-30), shots on goal (23-14), scoring chances (26-21), and expected goals (2.52-1.52). Really, really complete performance outside of the penalty shenanigans.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois made sure the Capitals took the full two points from Florida as he brilliantly set up Aliaksei Protas for Washington’s third goal of the game, then potted his own beautiful marker that eventually became the game-winning tally. Dubois already has four multi-point performances this season, recording nine total points (2g, 7a) in 10 games. With PLD on the ice at five-on-five, the Caps scored three goals and allowed zero from Florida. Winning player.
- Bounce-back game for Logan Thompson, who made 27 stops on 30 shots faced and was particularly brilliant with the Capitals shorthanded. According to MoneyPuck, he saved 0.64 more goals than expected. With the win, he also passed Pat Riggin (67) for the eighth-most wins in franchise history.
- After Tom Wilson was ejected rather early into the contest, head coach Spencer Carbery heavily leaned on Alex Tuch. The 30-year-old winger played 24:01 of total ice time in the win, topped only by defenseman Matt Roy (24:37). Tuch scored his 11th goal in 15 games with the Caps and recorded three shots, seven individual shot attempts, five individual scoring chances, three individual high-danger chances, one drawn penalty, and one shot block. What a pickup.
- The Capitals have exactly one player producing at a point-per-game rate on their roster, and it’s…defenseman Jack St. Ivany. With his first NHL goal, which opened the scoring, St. Ivany has five points (1g, 4a) in five games with the Caps this season.
- I thought Ryan Leonard looked excellent after finally being forced back into the top-six forward group. With him on the ice at five-on-five, the Capitals posted positive differentials in shot attempts (+10), shots on goal (+7), goals (+2), scoring chances (+4), and high-danger chances (+4). Even if Wilson is back with no suspension, it’s probably time to rethink how the club has been deploying Leonard.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-Reference, NaturalStatTrick, and HockeyStatCards.
