"The Capitals actually played a good first two periods against the Wild and arguably should have been up in the game heading into the third period. They owned 2.48 all-strengths expected goals heading into the final frame, while the Wild had just 2.1. Unfortunately, the Caps wilted in the third period and didn't put up much of a fight, getting shut out for the first time since before Halloween."
"One of the big issues in the loss came in net as Charlie Lindgren made just 27 saves on 32 shots faced. Lindgren has never beaten the Wild in six career games against them, and, per MoneyPuck, allowed 1.93 more goals than expected. Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson saved 3.04 more goals than expected in the Wild net. That's going to be the difference in most games."
"The lack of goal scoring is one of the "issues" from earlier in the season that has seemingly reappeared of late, and part of that is the power play returning to being a completely unviable, unwatchable, terrible mess. Kirk Muller's man-advantage units have one power-play goal in their last fifteen opportunities and allowed a shorthanded goal to Matt Boldy in this loss. Folks, I don't know what to tell you here. The coaching staff needs to figure something out."
The Washington Capitals lost three consecutive games, culminating in a 5-0 shutout by the Minnesota Wild, their second scoreless game this season. The Capitals outperformed the Wild in expected goals through two periods (2.48 to 2.1) but collapsed in the third. Charlie Lindgren stopped 27 of 32 shots and allowed 1.93 more goals than expected, while Filip Gustavsson saved 3.04 more than expected. The power play has produced one goal in the last 15 opportunities and surrendered a shorthanded goal. Alex Ovechkin had zero shots in 15:12, and recent scoring from McMichael and Protas has dwindled.
Read at RMNB
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