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Beaten and bruised: numbers for the morning after

Wednesday night, the Washington Capitals were looking to take both games of their western back-to-back, but in a twist they’d have to do it without Braden Holtby. Without their star netminder and with a couple other health issues, the beat up Caps fell 3-1.

The Caps out-shot the Jets 28 to 24, but were out-attempted at five-on-five 46 to 36.

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Back on track: numbers for the morning after

After a not so great end to their homestand, the Washington Capitals headed west for their only visit to the Minnesota Wild’s barn this season. The Caps and a returning from suspension Tom Wilson got the job done, smashing the Wild 5-2.

The Capitals out-shot the Wild 33 to 28, but were narrowly out-attempted at five-on-five 42 to 39.

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By Chris Cerullo On November 14, 2018 0 Comment

Welcome back, Tom Wilson. Here’s how his return will help the Caps.

By now you’ve heard the news that Tom Wilson‘s suspension has been reduced from 20 to 14 games. It’s about time. We’ve spent way too long droning on and on about Tom Wilson’s hits and not enough time talking about how he actually drives play. That ends now.

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By Peter Hassett On November 13, 2018 1 Comment

Special teams sadness: numbers for the morning after

The Washington Capitals and those wiley Arizona Coyotes matched up in a game that was the last of a Caps homestand before they head westward into much colder land. The Caps didn’t do too hot, falling 4-1 after their penalty kill imploded once again.

The Capitals out-shot the Coyotes 39 to 22 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 47 to 36.

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By Chris Cerullo On November 12, 2018 1 Comment

It’s time to break up Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov

So here’s an unfortunate reality that we have all been trying not to notice: the Caps’ top line is not working. After an absurdly successful Cup run, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov seem to have lost their magic at 5-on-5. After outscoring opponents 35 to 28 last season (and 20 to 9 in the postseason), Ovi and Kuzy are now being outscored 12 to 10. Considering how bad their defensive play has been, they should be thankful it’s that close.

Here is the case for breaking up Ovechkin and Kuznetsov.

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By Peter Hassett On November 10, 2018 2 Comments

A story of two power plays: numbers for the morning after

The Washington Capitals entered Friday night’s action looking to string together victories against in division foes as they took on the Columbus Blue Jackets in some more Metro on Metro crime. This time the end result was less favorable to the red clad bunch, they fell 2-1.

The Blue Jackets out-shot the Capitals 36 to 34 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 53 to 52.

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By Chris Cerullo On November 10, 2018 0 Comment

Dmitrij Jaskin’s defensive abilities have been even better than advertised

Editor’s note: RMNB alumnus/free agent Patrick Holden filed this article. Follow him on Twitter for some nice tweets in your timeline.

When the Caps claimed Dmitrij Jaskin off of waivers in early October, we knew the Caps were getting a depth forward who played a strong defensive game. Jaskin’s play has been so strong in the early going that he’s earned himself ice time higher on the depth chart and will be a hard guy for Todd Reirden to sit even once the team is back at full strength. While he will ultimately best fit into the bottom-six over the long-haul, it’s hard to overstate just how strong Jaskin’s defensive game has been over the first month of the season.

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By Patrick Holden On November 8, 2018 0 Comment

Praise be, Braden and some historical perspective: numbers for the morning after

The Capitals and their familiar foe and rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins matched up in a contest that I think most will want to forget ever happened. The Caps however, won’t forget the two points that their goaltender and TJ Oshie earned, as they somehow won this game 2-1.

The Pens out-shot the Caps 42 to 22 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 70 to 29.

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By Chris Cerullo On November 8, 2018 1 Comment

Overpowered the Oilers: numbers for the morning after

The Washington Capitals finished their season set with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night, securing a victory and two points in the standings after downing Connor McDavid and the bunch, 4-2.

The Oilers out-shot the Caps 33 to 23 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 59 to 42.

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By Chris Cerullo On November 6, 2018 0 Comment

Slava Voynov will not make your team better

Slava Voynov‘s NHL career ostensibly ended in the fall of 2014, when word of his off-ice behavior reached the league. Voynov spent two months in jail before leaving the country rather than facing possible deportation, but four years later he appears ready for a comeback. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman now has the option to grant Voynov’s request for reinstatement, the final obstacle before general managers could sign the 28-year-old, right-handed defenseman to a new contract.

They should not. Voynov’s supposed on-ice value has never matched reality.

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By Peter Hassett On November 4, 2018 1 Comment

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