Four on Four: Washington Capitals Week of 10/21/2016
One week and four games into the season for the Washington Capitals, we look at four positives and four negatives so far this young season.
Positives:
1) Goaltending – The shootout opening night aside, Braden Holtby has picked up where he left off last season. He has stopped many point black shots, and has a 1.63 GAA and .938 save percentage to start the season. Philipp Grubauer recorded his first career shutout in his only appearance thus far, and should give the team and coaching staff confidence should they feel they want to get Holtby some rest during the upcoming road trip.
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2) Five on five play – The Caps have outscored their opponents 9-2 at five on five in their first four games. The Caps have played a solid puck possession game, have cycled pucks deep and have gotten puck support from the forwards in the defensive end. They forecheck has created turnovers and for the most part the caps have been solid in all three zones.
3) Scoring first – The Caps have scored first in all four games so far this young season. Falling behind became a disturbing trend late last year and into the playoffs, one the Caps had trouble recovering from. The Caps certainly play a more comfortable game with a lead, and scoring first in every first period so far is a good trend to see.
4) No playoff spillover – many (myself included) were concerned how the Caps would come out of the gate after what was possibly the biggest playoff disappointment yet. However, Coach Trotz has had the Caps focused and ready to play from the first puck drop in Pittsburgh 8 days ago. The Caps season will of course be judged on what happens next spring, but for now the Caps have done a great job maintaining focus and getting 2016-17 off to a solid start.
Negatives:
1) Penalty killing – As good as the 3-0-1 start has been, a thorn in the Caps side is the PK. The Caps PK is currently 5th worst in the NHL and needs to improve soon. Giving the goaltenders good sight lines, clearing traffic to prevent deflections and rebounds, winning board battles and taking easy clears when available should help turn the early season PK struggles behind. It also all starts with faceoffs. Jay Beagle has been stellar at the dot winning 68% of face offs. Others need to step up as well.
2) Production from the newest Caps – Though the Caps did not make any earth shattering trades or major moves during the offseason, the signings of Lars Ellar and Brett Connolly were intended to stabilize the bottom 6 forwards. The 2 have yet to register a point. Secondary scoring will be needed as the season moves on. The Caps will need these 2 to produce.
3) Power Play – Though the Caps PP seemed to finally emerge from its offseason slumber vs. Colorado, they are 0/9 in their other three games. At times the Caps have had trouble entering and maintaining the zone, and other times they seem a bit slow and deliberate once they set up. On a team that boasts so much offensive skill hopefully this will work out, but for now the PP does remain a concern.
4) 2nd Periods – For a team that is 3-0-1 and dominating at times 5 on 5, it’s a bid odd that the Caps have been outscored 3-2 in the second period so far this season. Though the fast starts and excellent third periods (Caps have yet to surrender a 3rd period goal this year yet) have more than made up for what may just be the ebbs and flows of a game, the 2nd period so far this season has been a bit of challenge so far for the caps.
Overall the first week of the season has been quite successful for the caps. Solid play in all three zones with at times dominating 5 on 5 play have enabled the caps to their 3-0-1 start. Hopefully vs. NYR and then as the Caps travel through Western Canada they work out the few kinks like special teams and the 2nd period lulls.
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