"The Washington Capitals are a playoff bubble team, and that might be putting it too kindly. They've been getting worse. 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)."
Washington has a 3-5-2 record over the last ten games with only two regulation wins, dropping its pace from 107 projected points to 95. Even-strength play has weakened: expected-goal share fell from 57 percent to 53 percent and is now under 50 percent. The power play remains ineffective, and the penalty kill's success is largely due to goalies Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, who saved 66 of 73 shots in December. The team slipped from chasing the Colorado Avalanche to barely keeping pace with the San Jose Sharks (.500 this month). The roster freeze ended two days ago; the Olympics begin in 38 days; the trade deadline is 66 days away; the roster lists seven centers, signaling urgent trade needs.
Read at RMNB
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