Going into the break on a high note: numbers for the morning after

"As Spencer Carbery pointed out postgame, the Capitals really did not have a good night when it comes to controlling five-on-five play. They gave up way too many easy chances to the Predators, only being bailed out by their star netminder. Nashville ended the night up 47-38 in shot attempts, 31-17 in scoring chances, 17-11 in high-danger chances, and 2.99-2.18 in expected goals. Gotta be better than that on home ice, but two points are two points at this stage."

"Chychrun scored twice, added an assist, recorded seven shots on goal, drew a penalty, and blocked two shots. His first marker was his 20th goal of the season, giving him back-to-back 20-goal campaigns for the first time in his career. He is the second defenseman in franchise history to hit 20 in two consecutive seasons, joining Larry Murphy, who did so in 1985-86 and 1986-87."

The Washington Capitals beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 ahead of the NHL Olympic break. The Capitals struggled to control play five-on-five, allowing many easy chances and finishing behind Nashville in shot attempts, scoring chances, high-danger chances, and expected goals. Logan Thompson made 27 saves on 29 shots and saved 1.63 more goals than expected per MoneyPuck. Jakob Chychrun scored twice, added an assist, recorded seven shots, drew a penalty, and blocked two shots, reaching 20 goals for the season and his second consecutive 20-goal campaign. Pierre-Luc Dubois returned and registered one goal and one assist.

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