tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149710982024-03-17T21:09:47.326-04:00The Peerless PrognosticatorIt's once and always Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals hockey, all day, all night, all the time . . . or when I get around to itThe Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.comBlogger5539125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-34338304147369019572023-01-22T08:00:00.001-05:002023-01-22T08:00:00.201-05:00All good things...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfxJiSpco76nBP61WvIYo2TP5YZg-_sUdreEacFHrggx2UhxTtzkxVjMqniyNhhJsXJjPiW8ZpX1acfFj-jIbGo05sOJm_JXYEgb9nd_ie3gy13wAAX3N6yWJKDFSmJkAC1URq1SUkHSInIlxi8tx7F7zoDQE0L43u6JI2zV0tK8K8tqstg/s900/rocking-chairs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="900" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfxJiSpco76nBP61WvIYo2TP5YZg-_sUdreEacFHrggx2UhxTtzkxVjMqniyNhhJsXJjPiW8ZpX1acfFj-jIbGo05sOJm_JXYEgb9nd_ie3gy13wAAX3N6yWJKDFSmJkAC1URq1SUkHSInIlxi8tx7F7zoDQE0L43u6JI2zV0tK8K8tqstg/w400-h301/rocking-chairs2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Those of you who read this space know that we have been dealing
with some health issues for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
issues have led me to the decision to retire this space, at least for the
foreseeable future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For almost 18 years
we have been scribbling in this space and loved every moment of it (Cheerless
and Fearless enjoyed the attention, too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was not a decision made lightly, although we knew that eventually this
day would come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We cannot take our leave without an expression of
thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, there are simply too
many people who deserve our thanks, but a few do stand out. First and foremost,
there are those who have stopped by over the years to read our scribbles, either
as regular readers or those just passing through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we do would have no meaning without
those of you taking the time to read our work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We appreciate each and every one of you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there are those responsible for the product about which
we, and others, write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there
have been disappointments along the way, this is the golden era of Washington
Capitals hockey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been among
the most successful teams in the league for the last 15 years, topped by their
Stanley Cup victory in 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would
not have been possible without the work of the front office, from Ted Leonsis
to Brian MacLellan to the staff of scouts, analysts, and support staff, not to
mention <a href="http://peerlessprognosticator.blogspot.com/2022/12/an-appreciation-for-those-who-brings-us.html">those in the media</a> covering the Capitals,
who have provided and brought us the games that Capitals Nation could root for and
one it has been a joy to write about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We would like to give a special nod to the folks at Japers’
Rink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jon Press, in what might have been
a rare lapse in judgment, invited us to be a participant in the Rink’s work,
and the experience was a revelation of how hockey blogs should work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quality, devotion to detail, clear-eyed
analysis, and a single-minded focus on informing readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the staff and writers are great people,
too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could not have asked for a better
place to contribute to the Capitals narrative over the past few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are privileged to have been a part of it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cannot say that this is “the end” of our blog, although it
certainly is a possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that we
are either special or irreplaceable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Capitals Nation is truly blessed to have as broad a community of blogs
and writers, filling all sorts of niches that appeal to this fan or that
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will continue to read them with
interest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And so, it is time to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being of Irish ancestry (with its broad streak of sentimentality), we cannot help but use word and song to take our
leave…<i>”And all I've done for want of wit to memory now I can't recall so fill
to me the parting glass good night and joy be to you all..”</i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eisW0skJ9fU" width="320" youtube-src-id="eisW0skJ9fU"></iframe></div> <p></p><p>Frank Corrigan, "The Peerless Prognosticator." is off the air... </p><p> </p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-23488081383272546852023-01-15T19:41:00.000-05:002023-01-15T19:41:17.756-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 46: Capitals at Islanders, January 15th<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals wrap up a four-game run against
Metropolitan Division teams on Monday night when they visit UBS Arena to take
on the New York Islanders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps will
be looking to fight off a losing “streak” of two games in regulation, the first
time they lost consecutive games in regulation since losing Games 17 and 18
back on November 13<sup>th</sup> and 15<sup>th</sup> to the Tampa Bay Lightning
and Florida Panthers, respectively.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Islanders come into this contest dealing with struggles
of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 2-1 win over the Montreal
Canadiens stopped a four game losing streak, but the Isles remain a club that
has had trouble scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over their last
eight games, they have a total of 16 goals, but six of those came in a 6-2 win
ovr Vancouver to open the 2023 portion of their schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In none of the other seven games did they
score more than two goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with
that six-goal explosion, the Islanders have the worst scoring offense in the
league (2.00 goals per game) over those eight games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mathew Barzal has four of the 16 goals scored by the
Islanders to lead the team over those last eight games, bringing his total for
the season to 11 goals in 43 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has not been the easiest of seasons for the seven-year veteran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barzal signed an eight-year, $73.2 million contract
extension with the Islanders on October 4<sup>th</sup>, and the pressure that
comes with such a signing seemed to weigh on him early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not record a goal in his first 18
games, going 0-for-47 shooting, although he did have 19 assists.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Barzal broke the drought with a pair of goals in a 5-2 loss
to the Dallas Stars on November 19<sup>th</sup>, and since then has 11 goals on
57 shots (19.3 percent shooting).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
back to those two goals in a loss to Dallas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is odd that while Barzal has goals in nine games starting with that
two-goal contest, the Islanders are just 3-6-0 in those nine games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are 16-12-0 in the 28 games in which he
recorded a point this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice time
has not been kind to him or to the Islanders this season, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 23 games in which he skated at least
18:45, New York is just 5-15-3, while they are 18-2-0 in those games in which
he skated less than 18:45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And his shooting,
or absence of it, has an odd relationship to outcomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New York is 8-3-1 in the 12 games in which he
recorded one or no shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 25
career games against Washington, Barzal is 5-16-21, minus-4.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the other end of the scoring over the last eight games is
Brock Nelson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has none of the 16
goals scored by the Islanders in that span and only three assists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, he is still tied for the team
lead in goals for the season (15, with Anders Lee).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a franchise with as long and successful a
history as the Islanders, Nelson has quietly moved up the leader board in a
number of categories – ninth in team history in games played (720), 11<sup>th</sup>
in goals (220), 20<sup>th</sup> in assists (206), 15th in points (426), 11<sup>th</sup>
in power play goals (48), tied for second in overtime goals (six), ninth in
game-winning goals (36), tenth in first goals scored in games (36), fourth in
empty net goals (12), fifth in empty net points (22).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The odd part about Nelson’s scoring this season is how much
more productive he has been on the road (10-12-22, even, in 23 games) than at
home (5-12-17, plus-2, in 21 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
three of his power play goals have come on the road, and his 18.2 shooting
percentage on the road dwarfs his 7.0 percentage at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is on an eight-game streak without a goal
on home ice going into Monday night’s game, although he does have six
assists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been another player for
whom ice time and outcomes have a somewhat odd relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 22 games in which he skated at least 19
minutes, the Islanders are 9-11-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nelson
is 12-10-22, minus-5, in 39 career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Islanders have not made much use of rookie talent this
season, the team dressing four rookie skaters for a total of 45 man-games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forward Simon Holmstrom has 17 of those
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have had more, but he
spent six games on injured reserve in late December after a hit from Florida’s
Sam Bennett in a 5-1 win on December 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holmstrom was a 23<sup>rd</sup> overall pick
of the Islanders in the 2019 entry draft, taken two spots ahead of Connor
McMichael by the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 17 games to date, Holmstrom has not had eye-popping
scoring numbers (1-1-2, minus-1), and he was not a big scorer in parts of four
seasons with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport (27-43-70, minus-27, in
153 games), but he is seen as <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player/simon-holmstrom?player_id=360269">a promising playmaking winger</a> who can play responsibly at both ends of the ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of note for this game, Holmstrom is still
looking for his first career point on home ice as an Islander. If he gets a
sweater, it will be his first career appearance against the Caps.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx_i_oWyTDG7bOKF1IlIQ394nFbddcO4taF_Krnv3cMHkJJAn1PMQ3nxvwD0fxvVwv2U6kSZqsBVJJImU4UIbfHSAyKpx8Ryal_h9E1ygKJeswHJbgX2JXTU7VAHClIPhE-gI09MGDRXOGuHmzCmIQbN2HfzczmenOyO2cFVDMuPqGMimXA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20NYI.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx_i_oWyTDG7bOKF1IlIQ394nFbddcO4taF_Krnv3cMHkJJAn1PMQ3nxvwD0fxvVwv2U6kSZqsBVJJImU4UIbfHSAyKpx8Ryal_h9E1ygKJeswHJbgX2JXTU7VAHClIPhE-gI09MGDRXOGuHmzCmIQbN2HfzczmenOyO2cFVDMuPqGMimXA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20NYI.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brock Nelson is one
of 12 players this season to record 10 or more shots in a game, posting ten
shots (two goals) in a 4-3 overtime win over Columbus on November 12<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Islanders have
struggled to score on home ice this season, their 2.95 goals per game ranking
24<sup>th</sup> in the league in home scoring offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, their scoring defense has
been smothering, their 2.19 goals allowed per game at home ranking second in
the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New York has the
best penalty kill on home ice this season (90.7 percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 21 home games
so far, the Islanders scored first in only nine of them (tied for seventh-fewest
in the league), but they are 8-1-0 in those games, the third-best winning
percentage in the league (.889).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New York has the
fourth-best winning percentage on home ice in one-goal games this season
(.833/5-0-1) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and are one of seven teams
yet to lose a one-goal decision in regulation on home ice.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlcMPxiP8Zm9B6rZYxb7CryymLgaM7-aqmHVGHYiFJ9HCT_ud2ftk3xbz3h3bdAEENCSrWLXDndU1-w0MCFHdRcznqivR-K7zHp48Kb8bLZEY4-s1nToUd9I0k9AHTJ6Atv-Z-eR8FzGrIJdskxbio0dUWg2OvDW5_5aMrynqHpJ7eg7gnQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlcMPxiP8Zm9B6rZYxb7CryymLgaM7-aqmHVGHYiFJ9HCT_ud2ftk3xbz3h3bdAEENCSrWLXDndU1-w0MCFHdRcznqivR-K7zHp48Kb8bLZEY4-s1nToUd9I0k9AHTJ6Atv-Z-eR8FzGrIJdskxbio0dUWg2OvDW5_5aMrynqHpJ7eg7gnQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt Irwin is the
only Capital to appear in more than five road games without recording a point
so far this season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 28 skaters to
dress for at least one road game for the Caps, 20 of them have at least one
goal, and 23 have at least one point.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 28 skaters to
appear for the Caps his season, six have appeared in all 45 games to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through 45 games last season, only one
Capital (Alex Ovechkin) appeared in all 45 games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Vancouver and
the Islanders have allowed more shorthanded goals on the road (six and four, respectively)
than the Caps (three). Only Minnesota has scored more shorthanded goals on the
road (five) than the Caps (four).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only three teams
in the league have more empty net goals scored in road games than the Caps
(six) – New Jersey (nine), Pittsburgh (seven), and the Islanders (seven).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>New York</b></span>: Ilya Sorokin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is third in the league in goals against average among 69
goalies with at least 500 minutes (2.25).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is second in that group in save percentage (.927).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is tied for second in shutouts (three). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is tied for fifth in starts (31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why is Ilya Sorokin’ win-loss record just
15-14-2?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goal support is the easy
answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Isles do not provide goalies
with a lot of goal support, and they average 2.94 goals per game in his 33
appearances overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twelve times in 31
starts the Islanders scored two or fewer goals when he appeared; twice they
were shut out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not exactly playing
with much of a margin for error.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
except for an eight-game stretch over which he was 0-6-1 (one no-decision),
2.97, .903, with one shutout, he has been successful on his own terms despite
the lack of goal support.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sorokin might be the “other goaltender” in New York, with
the Rangers Igor Shesterkin getting more press attention, but his record of
54-38-13, 2.31, .924, with 13 shutouts over three seasons compares favorably
with Shesterkin’s 82-35-13, 2.34, .925, and nine shutouts over four
seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And perhaps it was a product of
the pecking order of attention the metropolitan New York teams get that when
both goalies received Calder Trophy votes in 2021-2022, Shesterkin finished
fifth in the voting with a 16-14-3, 2.62, .916 record while Sorokin finished
tied for 15<sup>th</sup> (with fellow goalie Kaapo Kahkonen) with a 13-6-3,
2.17, .918 record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season, while
Shesterkin has a 20-6-6 win-loss record to Sorokin’s 15-14-2, Sorokin has an
edge in goals against average (2.25 to 2.44), save percentage (.927 to .917)
and has three shutouts to one for Shesterkin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the moment, Ilya Sorokin seems to be the “stealth” goalie in the NHL,
a top-end performer who gets little attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In three appearances against Washington, Sorokin is 1-2-0, 2.70, .917.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Washington</span></b>: Martin Fehervary</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After 45 games last season, rookie defenseman Martin
Fehervary dressed for 42 games (he missed three games to COVID protocol) and
posted a scoring line of 3-3-6, plus-15, averaging, 19:24 in ice time per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He averaged 8.31 hits per 60 minutes, showing
a physical dimension to his game, but doing so within the rules (he had only
six penalties in that number of games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through 45 games on the Caps’ schedule this season,
Fehervary has dressed for only 33 games, missing time with an upper body
injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His offensive output is higher
on a per-game basis (3-4-7), and his ice time per game (19:40) is virtually
unchanged from last year at the same point of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His on-ice goal differential of plus-13 in 42
games at this point last season was better than his differential so far this
season with 33 of 45 games played (plus-4), his on-ice goals for to goals
against share at even strength (60.354.2 percent) last season better than this
season (54.2 percent) but that share this season is still fifth among all Caps
defensemen, a respectable ranking for a player who is third among defensemen in
even strength ice time per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, Fehervary has been a more productive offensive
player on the road (3-1-4, plus-4, in 16 road games, 0-3-3, even, in 17 home
games), more disciplined (four penalty minutes on the road, ten at home), more
engaged offensively (27 shots on goal on the road versus 18 at home).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes into this game 3-1-4, plus-4, in his
last four road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In six career
games against the Islanders, Fehervary is 0-1-1, minus-3.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Metropolitan Division is tightening up, and the Caps
have not been as successful in their recent games against division opponents
than they might have liked, to put some distance between themselves and teams
knocking at the door of playoff eligibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is what makes this game important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A three-game losing streak in the division would not crash the season,
but it would be a matter of concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That the Caps will have to turn things around against a team that can
make opponents miserable trying to move freely about the ice makes things just
that much harder.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 3 – Islanders 2</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-39357836124045926412023-01-15T16:21:00.000-05:002023-01-15T16:21:14.119-05:00Washington Capitals: That Was The Week That Was - Week 14<p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKkKQsfSCBfYUUvpPocIKeN-vVR6UJzu1RMHqxawCJcZhm77x1bvzYsnYhyoez1hJXWFEErnTlOSKZ3oyDA9afHwHevQf1STRsopDDhW4_29GxqxjmO_YZvhqfXg8QmW3FQJJojtFmi2V44aRH63M_UWrfPYXqmIGMkS88NVuR8nACzyXNw/s1396/twtwtw%20loss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1032" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKkKQsfSCBfYUUvpPocIKeN-vVR6UJzu1RMHqxawCJcZhm77x1bvzYsnYhyoez1hJXWFEErnTlOSKZ3oyDA9afHwHevQf1STRsopDDhW4_29GxqxjmO_YZvhqfXg8QmW3FQJJojtFmi2V44aRH63M_UWrfPYXqmIGMkS88NVuR8nACzyXNw/w148-h200/twtwtw%20loss.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br />Week 14 was not a good week for the Washington Capitals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their return to contests against Metropolitan
Division teams – Columbus and Philadelphia, both below them in standings – was an
opportunity to keep their recent momentum, advance in the standings, and put
some more distance between themselves and teams below them in the
division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not turn out entirely
as Caps fans would have liked.
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV00t22s4K39aEs-uS4wevNrLNWoSwmnhOgYc7uzyMYwDyPQjZ8VdhsPsMlTCZsWNGHs71SsLt_U4I_9jD8MBj_QRnMsjTE8D9WWAhgXq3obEjJAAyi1ygVJ5sXl4ikmoAGUTJ2PPbkgpffHoJCoQWC_HyE9C-62lWzIVfU_WrtT7lXcR7A/s539/summary%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="539" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV00t22s4K39aEs-uS4wevNrLNWoSwmnhOgYc7uzyMYwDyPQjZ8VdhsPsMlTCZsWNGHs71SsLt_U4I_9jD8MBj_QRnMsjTE8D9WWAhgXq3obEjJAAyi1ygVJ5sXl4ikmoAGUTJ2PPbkgpffHoJCoQWC_HyE9C-62lWzIVfU_WrtT7lXcR7A/w400-h234/summary%2014.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Record (1-2-0)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps opened the week in promising fashion, scoring the
game’s first goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets less than three minutes
into the contest at Capital One Arena on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that would be all the Caps would get, and
despite holding on for a 1-0 win, the writing was on the wall that this might
be a week in which they would struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the Caps faced the Philadelphia Flyers in a home-and-home set of
games to close the week, they had a chance to take advantage of a club that,
despite the fact that they had a successful run of late, that they were still
seventh of eight teams in the Metro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Losing both games by multi-goal margins was concerning, especially since
the Caps had been 10-3-0 in the previous 13 meetings of the teams dating back
to March 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of finishing the
week in third place in the Metro Division, had they swept the Flyers, they
finished the week as the first wild-card team in the Eastern Conference and
only four points ahead of Pittsburgh, lurking just outside the playoff-eligible
group of teams in the East with the Penguins holding three games in hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIX5pEFlQfzZ6RrTLKzUsjPakad2E0qP8rPH9M3Hus9WNKmq9M21ZTOQTGx5NMxcn6QKy4Bnr8dOpUsezIxRxumRak3j6ydHlXR6MpY6wJ9pxZXo1Ez1DTtur-A7Miny6rDd6T9fVmqF2csySwrEXrUoUB6JpxSEADQm23EWB-vPeh3_m0Q/s408/record%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="408" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIX5pEFlQfzZ6RrTLKzUsjPakad2E0qP8rPH9M3Hus9WNKmq9M21ZTOQTGx5NMxcn6QKy4Bnr8dOpUsezIxRxumRak3j6ydHlXR6MpY6wJ9pxZXo1Ez1DTtur-A7Miny6rDd6T9fVmqF2csySwrEXrUoUB6JpxSEADQm23EWB-vPeh3_m0Q/w400-h385/record%2014.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Offense: 1.67 /game (season: 3.20 / 15th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">Five goals in three games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Five different goal scorers, which might not have been a bad thing but
for the fact that none of them had more than one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was the lack of shooting
balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin had his customary
place at the top of the shots on goal rankings (16), but no other Capital has
as many as ten (T.J. Oshie had nine), and only six Caps had more than five.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was also the matter of points overall and the fact
that Garnet Hathaway and Nic Dowd – fourth line forwards – were the only
Capital skaters with more than one point for the week (each player had two).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erik Gustafsson was the only Capital to record a goal for
the week, his strike in the first three minutes of the Caps/Blue Jackets
contest being the only goal scored in that game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only three Caps defensemen would record
points in Week 14, Nick Jensen and Martin Fehervary recording single
assists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jensen’s assist against
Philadelphia in the 5-3 loss on Wednesday extended a decent run of assists –
five assists in seven games.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Defense: 2.67 / game (season: 2.76 / 9th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shots on goal can be a funny thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the one hand there were the Flyers, who
averaged allowing 33.0 shots per game for the week but finished with a 3-1-0
record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps also allowed 33.0 shots
per game but finished with a 1-2-0 record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And it was not all that bad a week for the Caps at 5-on-5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only four teams allowed fewer goals at fives
than did the Caps (five).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps
allowed only 137 shot attempts at 5-on-5, eighth-fewest in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Capital was on ice for more than two goals
against at even strength, but having Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov be two
of those skaters, especially when each player was on ice for only one goal for
at even strength, speaks to whether on the basis of scoring outcomes they should
be on the same line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garnet Hathaway and
Marcus Johansson did not have a goal scored against them on ice at evens for
the week, and Nic Dowd was on ice for only one such goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a decent week for the bottom six
forwards, but that is not the highest praise.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goaltending: 2.38 / .929 (season: 2.56 / .915 / 4 shutouts)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Darcy Kuemper took all the minutes in Week 14, and he might
have deserved better, at least in terms of scoring support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pitched his league-leading fourth shutout
of the season to open the week, and while he stopped just <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>53 of 60 shots in the two games against the
Flyers (.883 save percentage), it was not a bad overall week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More of one in which an extra win might have been
squeezed out with more scoring support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kuemper’s week was characterized by comparatively slow
starts, at least in the two games against the Flyers (.850 save percentage in
the first periods of the two games) and stronger performances as the games went
on (.939 save percentage over the last 40 minutes of the three games
overall).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What might be of mild concern
is his uneven performance on home ice in recent games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 58 goalies with at least 250 minutes on home
ice, his .910 save percentage ranks 24<sup>th</sup>, while his .925 save
percentage on the road ranks seventh of 70 goalies with 250 minutes played in
road games.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Power Play: 0-for-6 / 0.0 percent (season: 21.4 percent / 17th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Few chances, four shots on goal, no goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an awful week for the power play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time in 14 weeks that the Caps were
shut out on the power play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this despite
11 Capitals logging at least one power play minute of ice time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom,
both coming back to the lineup this week after spending the first half of the
season rehabilitating injuries, had shots on goal (one apiece).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There just is not much to say about what
might have been the worst week for the power play this season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oPONinrdNLeRyNcRjDZjLkxyl2eeDAAjwUvttwQt9W24zaGZm-OoUjU6LTiWGktgBccN7ORdOCR6VcWtGgO2yQakA88_3wfoazeWFBnPMtdI9T7Q92WCOx53HIVyR5-jKzMBWrOgis3XzC04HfKny_I0h5AH_cqmtFMedMBaepQhu0AKGA/s423/PP%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="409" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oPONinrdNLeRyNcRjDZjLkxyl2eeDAAjwUvttwQt9W24zaGZm-OoUjU6LTiWGktgBccN7ORdOCR6VcWtGgO2yQakA88_3wfoazeWFBnPMtdI9T7Q92WCOx53HIVyR5-jKzMBWrOgis3XzC04HfKny_I0h5AH_cqmtFMedMBaepQhu0AKGA/w386-h400/PP%2014.png" width="386" /></a></div><br /><b>Penalty Killing 8-for-11 / 72.7 percent (season: 80.6 percent
/ 11th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps did themselves no favors on the other side of
special teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 3.67 shorthanded instances
per game were fifth-most in the league for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only three teams allowed more power play
goals than the three allowed by the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wek 14 broke a streak of seven straight weeks over which the Caps had
penalty kills of 80.0 percent or better (49-for-58/84.5 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also the third week in the last five
in which the Caps faced at least ten shorthanded situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF-3EYzNpL3vh2BohROPR6Pm1li1DPLnB5NqIPvMfQo407L31PbYTYLGKJ1iqUrOVwWg7MNkyH7Hw_ZAzmNflNh7iEZdyv7kpiU-FVU26XkObUs7XpfvIKvfY50p14lEQhUCzpRw1xZ96ol4fK1jKl3WvnBnZsXCwAc0pFpzCOYiidZg67A/s424/PK%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="409" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF-3EYzNpL3vh2BohROPR6Pm1li1DPLnB5NqIPvMfQo407L31PbYTYLGKJ1iqUrOVwWg7MNkyH7Hw_ZAzmNflNh7iEZdyv7kpiU-FVU26XkObUs7XpfvIKvfY50p14lEQhUCzpRw1xZ96ol4fK1jKl3WvnBnZsXCwAc0pFpzCOYiidZg67A/w386-h400/PK%2014.png" width="386" /></a></div><br /><b>Faceoffs: 86-for-162 / 53.1 percent (season: 49.7 percent / 17th)</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps are getting better at this part of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On November 22<sup>nd</sup>, they were 25<sup>th</sup>
in the league in faceoff winning percentage at 46.8 percent, but since then
they rank tenth in the league at 52.3 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Week 14, three of the five Caps taking at least ten draws overall
finished at 50 percent or better, led by Lars Eller (64.0 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eller had a very good week in the defensive
zone, winning nine of 13 faceoffs (69.2 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evgency Kuznetsov was a surprising 12-for-20
in the offensive zone (60.0 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Overall, the Caps were 50 percent or better in all three zones for the
week. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5nj3USPd9q6XcYg0RL1HyfkLbJt1I7iZf89TAhv7niJe4nkPtcKCdPGJ_LGGrXZYmFE8dgllHHNvCC4lFkr5eiI7AkjUwMopnT6H20K5kn9i1C4stETbjjcYTsfqf8YGy-I9G6BDBZllQN2hAP-n0KjR1THRtL3hwp9Ye2_c6cPqZUwUVw/s625/faceoffs%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="625" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5nj3USPd9q6XcYg0RL1HyfkLbJt1I7iZf89TAhv7niJe4nkPtcKCdPGJ_LGGrXZYmFE8dgllHHNvCC4lFkr5eiI7AkjUwMopnT6H20K5kn9i1C4stETbjjcYTsfqf8YGy-I9G6BDBZllQN2hAP-n0KjR1THRtL3hwp9Ye2_c6cPqZUwUVw/w400-h153/faceoffs%2014.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Goals by Period</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How bad was Week 14?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Caps came into the week with 58 second period goals, second-most in
the league to Seattle’s 59.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end
of the week, the Caps still had 58 second period goals scored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the hole in the donut (they had three
first period goals and two third period goals) that might have cost them a win;
they were outscored, 2-0, in the second periods of games in Week 14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6euscKZYWkCmzjhC35-yASjzaDnfca3qVqnagHIbkIMZGqW1GEKckc8UyD-qsf5xpJeQxlt_4OmwRsG8Jb4BdfgGrN55hmmmKmZbGR5h5u4WdktVqftm9A9MYg-bAD-aaCIYaeDAsRCYCtkNDALhsMOl8qPWsor1HTX1TCgYLH9pirJzxlA/s405/goals%20by%20period%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="405" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6euscKZYWkCmzjhC35-yASjzaDnfca3qVqnagHIbkIMZGqW1GEKckc8UyD-qsf5xpJeQxlt_4OmwRsG8Jb4BdfgGrN55hmmmKmZbGR5h5u4WdktVqftm9A9MYg-bAD-aaCIYaeDAsRCYCtkNDALhsMOl8qPWsor1HTX1TCgYLH9pirJzxlA/w400-h209/goals%20by%20period%2014.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Year-over-Year</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps are holding on to a pace that is not all that different
from last year’s team as theyhit the 45-game mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The principal difference in record is that
this year’s team has swapped in a few more losses in regulation for losses in
extra time to account for most of the points difference between last year’s team
and this year’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scoring offense,
scoring defense, shots per game, penalty killing, shot attempts-for at 5-on-5
are all close to one another on a year-to-year basis through the same number of
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power play is better, both in
terms of generating opportunities and efficiency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number of shorthanded situations faced is
significantly higher this season and bears watching as the Caps move forward.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJw-kHUzLCZ5tDcAnaeW4ICzEYTdhwwHQtwiRskYkwN5oLWF5anAoMuzm02O2BcC_vDW4LXbjjHYTWG6rMMunHpTGWLP_SpjRO5Za7FrH-QGkhxCo3zFuoZoAZV1ajiwsp2yqBbhWF3poNedPsKZEELvCpymjn6xXkNMb61IZDUg5d4lfbA/s675/YoY%2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="675" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJw-kHUzLCZ5tDcAnaeW4ICzEYTdhwwHQtwiRskYkwN5oLWF5anAoMuzm02O2BcC_vDW4LXbjjHYTWG6rMMunHpTGWLP_SpjRO5Za7FrH-QGkhxCo3zFuoZoAZV1ajiwsp2yqBbhWF3poNedPsKZEELvCpymjn6xXkNMb61IZDUg5d4lfbA/w400-h209/YoY%2014.png" width="400" /></a></div><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a week one would like to forget but probably shouldn’t.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an opportunity missed, mostly
because the Caps’ offense dried up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps this is the price the team is paying to re-integrate Nicklas
Backstrom and Tom Wilson into the lineup and figure out what line combinations
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Caps do not have a large
margin for error in the standings, which suggests that the time for tinkering
might be short.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Three Stars</b></p>
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>First Star</u>: Darcy Kuemper (1-2-0, 2.38, .929, one shutout)</li><li><u>Second Star</u>: Garnet Hathaway (1-1-2, plus-3, no goals
against on-ice at even strength, seven hits, three blocked shots, no giveaways)</li><li><u>Third Star</u>: Erik Gustafsson (1-0-1, plus-2, one game-winning
goal, seven shots on goal, no goals against on-ice at even strength, 20:36 in
ice time per game).</li></ul><p>
</p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-8732227547825612222023-01-10T13:10:00.000-05:002023-01-10T13:10:29.106-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Games 44 and 45: Capitals at Flyers, January 11th/Flyers at Capitals, January 14<p></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>16.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
</xml><![endif]--><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i>
</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals have not had a lot of games against
Metropolitan Division – only nine games out of 43 games played to date (6-2-1) –
but the Caps return to division wars this week and wrap up a season series in
the process when they play the Philadelphia Flyers in a home-and-home set of
games Wednesday in Philadelphia and Saturday in Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps have the league’s best record since November 23<sup>rd</sup>
at 16-4-3 and are one of only two teams to be top-five in both scoring offense
(3.70 goals per game/fourth) and scoring defense (2.22 goals allowed per
game/second), Toronto being the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the other side, the Flyers are 9-10-3 over the same period,
tied for 22<sup>nd</sup> in the league in points over that span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Philadelphia is showing signs of being
better lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After struggling in the
run-up to the Christmas break with a 2-5-2 record, the Flyers are 5-1-0 since
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only once in those six games
did they score fewer than five goals, and only twice did they allow more than two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Center Travis Koniecny has set the pace in scoring for the
Flyers in their recent run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the
last six games he is 6-5-11, plus-7. His six goals are tied for fifth in the
league over that stretch, while his 11 points are tied with Kevin Fiala for
most in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps Konecny is
finally settling in to being the top-notch scorer the Flyers might have
envisioned when they took him as the 24<sup>th</sup> overall pick in the 2015
Entry Draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has not been that
Knoecny has been a poor performer; in fact, he has been consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After posting 11 goals in 70 games as a rookie
in 2016-2017, he recorded three consecutive 24-goal seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, his production dipped to 27 goals in
129 games over the next two seasons coming into the 2022-2023 campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But Konecny came out of the starting gate hot this season
and has not let up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even missing six
games to an upper-body injury in late November has been able to slow him
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only once in 35 games played has
he gone consecutive games without a point, and he has at least one point in 28
of those 35 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also has goals in
18 of those 35 games, over which the Flyers are 10-6-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question regarding his scoring is whether
his 18.9 shooting percentage to date (16<sup>th</sup> among 353 skaters with at
least 50 shots on goal) is sustainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
he had a respectable 12.1 percent shooting mark over five seasons entering this
one, a correction might be in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
28 career games against the Caps, Konecny is 6-5-11, minus-7.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is in his second tour with the Flyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In June 2019, he was traded to the Flyers by
the San Jose Sharks for a second-round draft pick in 2019 and a third-round
draft pick in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was traded to the
New York Rangers in March 2022 for 1 2023 third-round draft pick, but he
returned to the Flyer fold when he signed a one-year/$1.0 million contract as a
free agent last July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Braun has never
been much of an offensive defenseman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
791 games over 12 seasons for three teams coming into this season, he had 34 goals
and 197 points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one thing sticks out
among the “numbers” about Braun, it is that he is, by far, the oldest of the
eight defensemen to dress for the Flyers this season (he will be 36 in
February), more than six years older than Nick Seeler.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Given his profile, one would expect that Braun would be the
veteran anchor of a defensive squad where half the members are age 26 or
younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he has played in only 33 of
41 games this season, only one since December 22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem lies in part with the fact that
the Flyers just have not done well with Braun in the lineup, going 12-14-7 in
the 33 games in which he dressed (4-4-0 in games in which he was absent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has not helped his or the Flyers’ cause
that through 33 games played he is still looking for his first point of the
season. He is on a 37-game streak without a point dating back to last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 29 career games against the Caps, Braun in
0-7-7, plus-6.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If there has been a surprise this season for the Flyers, it
might be rookie winger Noah Cates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first surprise is that Cates – a fifth round (117<sup>th</sup> overall) pick of
the 2017 Entry Draft and the seventh player drafted by the Flyers in that draft
– has appeared in every game to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
rookie through Monday’s games has appeared in more games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also the fact that Cates is tied for
eighth in points by a rookie in the league to date (17) and is tied for eighth
in plus-minus rating (plus-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
Seattle’s Matty Beniers has more game-wining goals (three) than Cates (two,
tied with six other rookies), and he leads all rookie forwards in ice time per
game (17:45).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are approaching the time of the season when some rookies who
carry a significant workload hit a wall. That has not yet happened with Cates,
who is 2-6-8, plus-3, over his last 11 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His contributions are consistent with the results of a secondary-scoring
player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has goals in five games to
date, and the Flyers are 4-0-1 in those contests; the Flyers are 7-4-1 in the
12 games in which he has points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
ten games in which he logged at least 19 minutes, the Flyers are 5-1-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With respect to his ice times, there are
those occasions in which a rookie might slump and give the head coach cause to
sit him or reduce his minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
former has not happened, and as to the latter, Cates has not skated less than
14:43 in any game this season, only about three minutes under his average this
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cates is 0-0-0, minus-3, in
three career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1BSB-FSeMPtfA9aldUy6CfS6gScM3QWbZrTc85j4veBAA_RIfFBQ2qCQDxzc8ffB4htHhwKcv1NK4VnT-fb8qbe75WrVvIudx04YmdBFviq5ri0Obx_KwSku7fIfRD5eE2sQBqrbOMbIWW8w2nUIs46gLsGLHWMsvUs-44GhU30cojtP6Q/s432/5%20random%20facts%20PHI.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1BSB-FSeMPtfA9aldUy6CfS6gScM3QWbZrTc85j4veBAA_RIfFBQ2qCQDxzc8ffB4htHhwKcv1NK4VnT-fb8qbe75WrVvIudx04YmdBFviq5ri0Obx_KwSku7fIfRD5eE2sQBqrbOMbIWW8w2nUIs46gLsGLHWMsvUs-44GhU30cojtP6Q/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20PHI.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Philadelphia’s net
power play on home ice (accounting for shorthanded goals scored by opponents)
is the fourth-worst on home ice in the league (12.1 percent). It is slight
better, efficiency-wise, on the road at 12.7 percent, but it ranks 31<sup>st</sup>
in the league.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Montreal has
scored first in fewer games on home ice (three) than the Flyers (five), who are
just 2-3-0 in the limited instances they did so (.400 winning percentage/31<sup>st</sup>
in the league).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also frustrated
in this area on the road – 3-3-2/.375 (29<sup>th</sup> in winning percentage).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Flyers can
get a lead after 40 minutes on home ice, they will like their chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are 7-0-0 on home ice when leading after
two periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even on the road they have
been successful, just not frequent in getting those 40-minute leads (4-0-1 in
22 road games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Flyers have
been digging early holes on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have a minus-8 goal differential in first periods on home ice, fifth-worst in
the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is worse than their goal-differential
in first periods on the road (minus-2).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team has more
losses by three or more goals on home ice than the Flyes (nine in 19 home
games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5oUFEyuF89-zlpWrk2uTFmpkcbaZa7g8ic0P_iV-kWddOkALNnNwxwnS7nbsUC_q_cqKgeKCv12s3sHCUyM-NzFj754M8zyXPg78ArrzPqjVrqf12D4qSKQNT_sXOO1LmfZrGHg8ZNOebGqPgO1mhKX_Q0i7aLcdNdTkv4uK_sQbUiF8_A/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5oUFEyuF89-zlpWrk2uTFmpkcbaZa7g8ic0P_iV-kWddOkALNnNwxwnS7nbsUC_q_cqKgeKCv12s3sHCUyM-NzFj754M8zyXPg78ArrzPqjVrqf12D4qSKQNT_sXOO1LmfZrGHg8ZNOebGqPgO1mhKX_Q0i7aLcdNdTkv4uK_sQbUiF8_A/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has not
been an especially prolific scoring team on home ice, their 3.32 goals per game
ranking 14<sup>th</sup> in the league in home scoring offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have averaged fewer goals per game on
the road (3.11) but rank 11<sup>th</sup> in road scoring offense.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have been
very good at home holding down opponents’ scoring, the 2.59 goals allowed per
game at home ranking sixth in the league in scoring defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been almost as good on the road,
the 2.81 goals allowed per game ranking eighth in road scoring defense.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 28 first
period goals have been scored by the Caps and opponents in 22 games at Capital
One Arena this season, split evenly at 14 apiece. The Caps have a minus-4 goal
differential in first period goals in 21 road games (15 for, 19 against).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Pittsburgh has
allowed more overtime goals on home ice (four) than the Caps (three, tied with three
other teams).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are on of
three teams that have trailed first at least ten times on home ice with a winning
percentage of at least .500 (5-4-1/.500).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Winnipeg and Toronto are the others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Philadelphia</b></span>: Samuel Ersson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was supposed to be Carter Hart’s net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the most part this season, it has
been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hart has taken 28 of the 41 starts
by Flyer goaltenders to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his
11-12-6, 2.97, .908, is not what the team might be expecting, even for a club
that is still struggling to achieve competitive status with other playoff
contenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps a victim of
circumstance (the Dlyers’ overall struggles) or his own shortcomings, he has
not been the answer many thought he could be when he burst upon the scene with
a rookie season good enough for him to finish ninth in Calder Trophy voting and
a sophomore season that was an improvement over his rookie year (24-13-3, 2.42,
.914, one shutout).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his next two
seasons he was 22-35-12, 3.34, .895, with two shutouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But Hart was injured in a December 23<sup>rd</sup> game against
Carolina, leaving the net to Felix Sandstrom, or it would have but for
Sandstrom missing time to illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
in that context that Samuel Ersson is an intriguing character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ersson was called up from the Lehigh Valley
Phantoms of the AHL on December 21<sup>st</sup> to fill in for Sanderson and
was pressed into duty when Hart was injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He completed that game Hart started against Carolina and allowed five
goals on 30 shots in 47 minutes in a 6-5 loss (he did not earn the
decision).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But since then, Ersson has
been impressive, allowing three goals on 28 shots to San Jose, two in 25 shots
against Los Angeles, one on 29 shots against Anaheim, and most recently a
28-save shutout in a 4-0 win against Buffalo – all wins, and all on the road.
In his short time with the big club, he is 4-0-0, 2.30, .924, that save percentage
tops among all rookie goalies playing at least 100 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not as if any of this was
expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the Phantoms, Ersson was
9-8-1, 2.72, .910, his goals against average ranking 25<sup>th</sup> among qualifying
goalies and his save percentage ranking 19<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One might say that the Flyers have credible
alternatives to the goaltending position, but it looks from a distance like one
that remains – as it seems to have been for decades – in flux.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ersson has never faced the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: T.J. Oshie</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">T.J. Oshie is not the offensive producer he has been in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his current rate of point production, he
will finish 2022-2023 with the only season of his 15-year career not averaging
more than half a point per game (he has 13 points in 26 games/0.50 points per
game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will finish the season with
his second consecutive year with less than 0.30 goals per game, something he
has not done since 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, his final two seasons with the St
Louis Blues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 12.5 shooting
percentage is his lowest since 2014-2015, his last year with the Blues, when he
shot 11.7 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 16:42 in ice time
per game is his lowest since his rookie year in 2008-2009 (16:35 per
game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while neither a center nor a
player with a heavy faceoff load, he does take a lot of draws for a winger, yet
his 37.7 winning percentage is the worst of his career.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And yet, the Caps win when he is on the ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 26 games this season in which he played,
the Caps are 16-8-2; they are 7-6-4 in the 17 games he missed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not as if this an unusual or isolated
phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since coming to the Caps in
July 2015, the Caps are 299-132-52 in games in which he dressed (a 110-point
pace per 82 games) and 98-58-21 (a 101-point pace per 82 games) in games he
missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The consistency of the
relationship between his being on ice and Caps success looks like a reflection
of the limitation of numbers – top line or more sophisticated statistics – to capture
his impact on outcomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oshie’s absences
this season, twice missing time to what appeared to be non-contact injuries,
have denied him much of an opportunity to establish and scoring momentum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 26 games he has three streaks of three or
more games without a point, and he does not have an assist on his resume since November
25<sup>th</sup>, a streak of 15 games and counting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has been particularly curious about his
season to date is an inability to score at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has two goals on 30 shots (6.7 percent) in
12 games on home ice so far this season, even though he is averaging about a
minute more in home ice time per game (17:11) than on the road (16:17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oshie is 12-12-24, plus-1, in 39 career games
against Philadelphia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With as little game action as the Caps will have this week,
it is an opportunity to get some practice in and put those lessons to work to
play with structure and focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Flyers are a feisty and familiar enough foe to get and hold the Caps’ attention,
so taking the opponent for granted should – that is “should” – not be an
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be difficult to gain
much, if any ground in the standings with just the two games against the Flyers
on the slate, but that makes these two games important to maintain and solidify
their place in the playoff mix.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday: Capitals 4 – Flyers 2</b></span></span></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday: Capitals 5 – Flyers 2</b></span></span></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-84601235002187861022023-01-09T13:09:00.001-05:002023-01-09T13:09:38.056-05:00Just a Reminder...<p> For 20 games, the Caps were not very good. And then, they were...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zUotcjLLqu8unxhixzkkIglg-QaTp_Dxzf49zZAgv3-EsLKaFoczaoIRHjR18IDMrFbY8d7kZz-RnnOFf6ziP5mYKYndvMjlo4zwG4AyvSwscSZlvcv-i5vmN8nk0u3XILrHd5Buf61CkcS1Ge1S3Auv9ssjVpR8FbDNTBhpmgmcPAOkqQ/s521/Caps%20before%20and%20after.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zUotcjLLqu8unxhixzkkIglg-QaTp_Dxzf49zZAgv3-EsLKaFoczaoIRHjR18IDMrFbY8d7kZz-RnnOFf6ziP5mYKYndvMjlo4zwG4AyvSwscSZlvcv-i5vmN8nk0u3XILrHd5Buf61CkcS1Ge1S3Auv9ssjVpR8FbDNTBhpmgmcPAOkqQ/s16000/Caps%20before%20and%20after.png" /></a></div><br />So, Caps fans...if there are any among you inclined to pick nits, complain about this, or whine about that...you need to rethink your choices.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-42189603766706248342023-01-08T17:49:00.003-05:002023-01-08T17:49:46.431-05:00Washington Capitals: That Was The Week That Was - Week 13<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj738I2viURVF7jofPtMCb7PlOD3MyBL42vbIGCxAWZsbzLegv0AYGVVX686Cp8PMGUkZ3QhiYVCma0HVu6thapUvslk57jZwxYU9UE87QpS9quHxhZRapACfpjwMsk7vi_oT6KzMZf682zpewYWoVzZgxCxf2NDqQephdpT1j0kPqd0AHbEw/s124/TWTWTW%20win.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="62" data-original-width="124" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj738I2viURVF7jofPtMCb7PlOD3MyBL42vbIGCxAWZsbzLegv0AYGVVX686Cp8PMGUkZ3QhiYVCma0HVu6thapUvslk57jZwxYU9UE87QpS9quHxhZRapACfpjwMsk7vi_oT6KzMZf682zpewYWoVzZgxCxf2NDqQephdpT1j0kPqd0AHbEw/s1600/TWTWTW%20win.gif" width="124" /></a></div>The margin between a really good week and a mediocre one in
eh NHL can be measured in a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was true for the Washington Capitals in Week 13. They allowed a game-tying
goal in the second half of the third period of one game before losing in
overtime, and they were less than five minutes from forcing overtime when they
surrendered the game-winning goal in another context to leave them with a 1-1-1
record that could have ended much better with better late-game management. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPc8Foz6u6J-1JZ7CA6fUwau2Sqn7jTYBEDCKaAx8U0nbn2BOIOauVq_G6AzmbbuZdaE8NpO5FWLFbpvFgjPPDng8pU46z95Xt1mITuO13dsRnb-OmSgPiW0gj4jaF77YJBDJh4MGm8FPOGCGPj3Kbl3lkZgzvNlE9Km4VeP_FYIkPYvLbw/s542/summary%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="542" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPc8Foz6u6J-1JZ7CA6fUwau2Sqn7jTYBEDCKaAx8U0nbn2BOIOauVq_G6AzmbbuZdaE8NpO5FWLFbpvFgjPPDng8pU46z95Xt1mITuO13dsRnb-OmSgPiW0gj4jaF77YJBDJh4MGm8FPOGCGPj3Kbl3lkZgzvNlE9Km4VeP_FYIkPYvLbw/w400-h233/summary%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Record (1-1-1)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps went into Week 13 on an 11-1-1 run and opened the
week hosting a club on the rise in the Buffalo Sabres, who were on a 6-1-0 run
of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington went into the
third period trailing but pulled ahead on goals by Nic Dowd and Alex
Ovechkin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps could not hold on to
their good fortune, though, and gave up the game-tying goal to Tyson Jost with
less than nine minutes left in regulation to force overtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three minutes in, Tage Thompson scored to
give the visitors the extra standings point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Caps then spotted the Columbus Blue Jackets the opening goal in the
middle contest of the week, then took over in the second period, outscoring the
jackets, 6-1, over the final 40 minutes for a 6-2 win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps had a chance for a winning week when Nashville come
to town on Friday, but the Predators sandwiched a pair of goals around a Sonny
Milano strike to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington tied it in the second period on a
Nicolas Aube-Kubel goal, but the Caps could not find the tie-breaking goal
before Ryan McDonagh scored with just 3:16 left in regulation to leave the Caps
with a 1-1-1 record for the week.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0UD_69rmuwR4xd3e6KjcQ1ZZ-OSIC-O5HLrvRFLN_35UbnQqwIWs3Vit-0wpiBpbktpeBS-34HVyS5l80mt7eoHA2RDgsLo13Y0gJwR7kysJCj-u0Xu7k71iOueKK6Fc41aUng3RkI8UJJFbnPmf0K_jwG0deYWAf_9TMDyh0CJxp8rGKQ/s409/record%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="409" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0UD_69rmuwR4xd3e6KjcQ1ZZ-OSIC-O5HLrvRFLN_35UbnQqwIWs3Vit-0wpiBpbktpeBS-34HVyS5l80mt7eoHA2RDgsLo13Y0gJwR7kysJCj-u0Xu7k71iOueKK6Fc41aUng3RkI8UJJFbnPmf0K_jwG0deYWAf_9TMDyh0CJxp8rGKQ/w400-h361/record%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Offense: 4.00 /game (season: 3.31 / 10th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">Three games, 12 goals, seven goal-scorers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin led the team with three goals
for the week, but the Caps continue to get important contributions from role
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Week 13, it was Aube-Kubel,
who potted his first two goals of the season, and Sonny Milano, who has been a
real spark for this team and had a pair of goals of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T.J. Oshie continued working himself into
playing form after an injury to be the third Capital with two goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Fehervary chipped in with his third
goal (the game-winner against Columbus) in six games after going his first 23
games of the season without one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nic
Dowd scored his fifth goal in eight games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What was remarkable about the offense, though, was that 18
of 20 skaters to dress for the week had at least one point, four Caps had three
points, and another six had two or more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dylan Strom (0-3-3), Milano (2-1-3), Ovechkin (3-0-3), and Evgeny
Kuznetsov (0-3-3) were the four Caps with three points apiece.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ovechkin led the Caps with 13 shots on goal, but once more
there were those role players close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Milano was second for the week with nine shots on goal, while Trevor van
Riemsdyk tied T.J. Oshie with eight shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also six Caps averaging a shot on
goal per game played and a shooting percentage of 20 percent or better, led by
Aube-Kubel, who had hs two goals for the week on four shots (50.0 percent).</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Defense: 3.33 / game (season: 2.76 / 9th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That the Caps would allow 3.33 goals per game looks a bit
odd, given that in none of the three games for the week did the Caps allow as
many as 30 shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not
allow more than 11 in any single period and allowed an average of 25.7 shots
per game for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a huge
edge in shots of goal-for on ice at 5-on-5 – 155-134 (plus 21, tied for seventh
best in the league for the week), yet they did allow eight 5-on-5 goals, tied
for seventh-most in the league for the week.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fourth line of Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, and Aliaksei
Protas took it on the chin in terms of individual on-ice goal differential at
5-on-5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hathaway was a team-worst minus-3,
while Dowd and Protas each were minus-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nick Jensen was the only other Capital, and the only defenseman, to post
a negative goal differential at fives (minus-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 20 of the Capitals skaters playing in
Week 13 were on ice for at least one 5-on-5 goal against.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goaltending: 3.31 / .870 (season: 2.57 / .914 / 3 shutouts)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was not an especially good week for the goaltenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren
finished the week north of 3.00 in goals against average and south of .900 in
save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only twice in nine regulation
periods of hockey were they able to keep opponents off he scoreboard, and first
periods were most difficult, Kuemper and Lindgren combining to stop 23 of 28
shots (.821 save percentage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The save
percentages improved over the periods (.909/20-for-22 in the second periods,
.920/23-for-25 in the third periods), but early slow stats hampered the Caps
generally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the two third period
goals allowed happened to be a game-tying goal in a game the Caps would lose in
overtime and a late goal to give Nashville their winning margin in regulation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Power Play: 2-for-6 / 33.3 percent (season: 22.4 percent / 16th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The efficiency was good, but the Caps lacked opportunities
to capitalize further on what was an efficient week for the power play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only three teams for the week had fewer man advantages
per game than did the Caps (2.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual,
Ovechkin led the team in power play shots with four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no other Capital had more than one, and only
three Caps were in that group – Dylan Strome, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and T.J. Oshie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strome had the primary assists on both Caps
power play goals for the week (Ovechkin and Oshie).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was anemic production, and not only
because the Caps had only six power play chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were nine Caps who logged at least 1:30
in power play ice time for the week.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwz_ONhkSVdCOli9RRkE99mWORGK5yoHsgATkAhwpcOsO5poOu0hW1M77NY9465StXWbIysJHMMlP0kjjkAUH9gb1CAxmbH8h2yTRkJZ8eUhTO9G7uvQ-uxvVLDd5DtKopxJ-I8hjc0ZrUUn-0sLXPb90xv0CY8rdO9nzAzjH-BYAN6lSzA/s409/PP%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="409" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwz_ONhkSVdCOli9RRkE99mWORGK5yoHsgATkAhwpcOsO5poOu0hW1M77NY9465StXWbIysJHMMlP0kjjkAUH9gb1CAxmbH8h2yTRkJZ8eUhTO9G7uvQ-uxvVLDd5DtKopxJ-I8hjc0ZrUUn-0sLXPb90xv0CY8rdO9nzAzjH-BYAN6lSzA/w400-h390/PP%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Penalty Killing 5-for-6 / 83.3 percent (season: 81.4 percent
/ 9th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the lack of power play chances was a minus on special
teams, the lack of shorthanded situations faced was a plus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team faced fewer shorthanded situations
per game than did the Caps in Week 13 (2.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington spread the penalty killing responsibilities around, even with
few penalty kills to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nine Caps –
four defensemen and five forwards – averaged at least 1:30 in penalty killing
ice time for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 13 extended
a run of consistency on the penalty kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the seventh straight week in which the Caps were 80.0 percent or
better killing penalties and are 84.5 percent overall during that stretch, the
third best penalty kill in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4V6jQQr8e8AMYCxiPLlpfmZzdnAEkXZLJz_hRVfbKlBbSr9RPmgmYtRfBHr-Rq93pBk4F7dh4AF6fH29AGtE1oQR1sq62ewhsOcELd9MjQ_E-5x8l7NgwxF-ti5cjJUmFvZ8ndYYo-VOoNNo8hjdRoA847HWqDdp3QkWuurnCwgnCWgMqg/s409/PK%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="409" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4V6jQQr8e8AMYCxiPLlpfmZzdnAEkXZLJz_hRVfbKlBbSr9RPmgmYtRfBHr-Rq93pBk4F7dh4AF6fH29AGtE1oQR1sq62ewhsOcELd9MjQ_E-5x8l7NgwxF-ti5cjJUmFvZ8ndYYo-VOoNNo8hjdRoA847HWqDdp3QkWuurnCwgnCWgMqg/w400-h393/PK%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Faceoffs: 97-for-166 / 58.4 percent (season: 49.5 percent / 19th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a very good week in the circle for the Caps, who have
climbed from near the bottom of the league rankings in this category to 19<sup>th</sup>
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overall numbers for Week 14
were inflated a bit by a 64.4 percent winning percentage in the neutral zone,
but the Caps were still over 50 percent in all three zones for the week.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The overall performance was fueled by Lars Eller, Dylan
Strome, and Nic Dowd, each of whom finished the week over 60 percent overall.
Only Evgeny Kuznetsov had a sub-50 percent week among those Caps taking at
least ten draws, but he has improved in this area over recent weeks, bringing
his overall season winning percentage to 47.4 percent, which at the moment
stands as the second best faceoff winning percentage of his career. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDTzVuCVHDzEN0Mn9-RsuiePER2iwA3JuOxlj4VBgTqP6HyGdHzVYA07WKuU7lYY793rCyzWbtZBJfU5pzUnUvsi_N0zlFnuyIeapy423hnweSsHr0YVdbrXyOQ-7bRAc_Ib5fwgap3yl9KaDHhYSqtGQveil4YlOGp3ZPycmxSLuuJn03w/s626/faceoffs%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="626" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDTzVuCVHDzEN0Mn9-RsuiePER2iwA3JuOxlj4VBgTqP6HyGdHzVYA07WKuU7lYY793rCyzWbtZBJfU5pzUnUvsi_N0zlFnuyIeapy423hnweSsHr0YVdbrXyOQ-7bRAc_Ib5fwgap3yl9KaDHhYSqtGQveil4YlOGp3ZPycmxSLuuJn03w/w400-h151/faceoffs%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goals by Period</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although the Caps let games get away from them late, they
might have been in that position had they performed better in first periods of
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were minus-3 for the week in
goal differential, and again it was their lack of first period scoring that hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have scored only 28 first period
goals in 42 games through 13 weeks, tied for 25<sup>th</sup> in first period
goals scored and the reason they are a minus-5 in first periods of games this
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2BT-JdzKbIS1YlD7Sg8l_FQ71iS862TEkJnu6puxZFEcNMKQu5qWrxvEVHVNilxaV3qHlonPezZSrtaNi1jf7hWDWghQW8SA3Xf_0TEexal8MVZUPRD-tF1BfqIpTIEW53zEZbTMEHFeESvx4Ft5MJyNb6me_pWEG41G1E9-WipXhsXUQA/s406/goals%20by%20period%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="406" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2BT-JdzKbIS1YlD7Sg8l_FQ71iS862TEkJnu6puxZFEcNMKQu5qWrxvEVHVNilxaV3qHlonPezZSrtaNi1jf7hWDWghQW8SA3Xf_0TEexal8MVZUPRD-tF1BfqIpTIEW53zEZbTMEHFeESvx4Ft5MJyNb6me_pWEG41G1E9-WipXhsXUQA/w400-h208/goals%20by%20period%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Year-over-Year</b></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year’s Caps have almost caught last year’s club in many
categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are now down by just
one win from last year’s team, although they do have four more losses in regulation,
accounting for the five point difference that remains between the two editions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scoring offense and defense are now almost
indistinguishable from last year, as are shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s special teams are better, and significantly
so, as is the faceoff winning percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The real difference, year to year, is that the Caps are 12-3-3 since
December 1<sup>st</sup> this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last season, over the December 1 – January 7 period, the Caps had a bye
week but were still just 6-3-3 in the games they did play.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7hdu1HvQVGBDIarHO7ZW9Q9RcAHju1EbV5e21wTiFTN7RIa7DAVrWZKXUmIvmkGLodET7AXfHJTY3X7GNDLJwEhX7dleezdatvOVI4AMrS462xsAQ7m5B4ZJDp99mhW05hpj9Zl_DbqAC295q-26IGOJ_Cq_KDzw_CDX_dGr6uj3B6vdsQ/s676/YoY%2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="676" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7hdu1HvQVGBDIarHO7ZW9Q9RcAHju1EbV5e21wTiFTN7RIa7DAVrWZKXUmIvmkGLodET7AXfHJTY3X7GNDLJwEhX7dleezdatvOVI4AMrS462xsAQ7m5B4ZJDp99mhW05hpj9Zl_DbqAC295q-26IGOJ_Cq_KDzw_CDX_dGr6uj3B6vdsQ/w400-h210/YoY%2013.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>In the end…</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps did their job in the 2022 portion of the season,
keeping close to the leaders to buy time until some of the injured (Nicklas
Backstrom and Tom Wilson most notably) back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even with a sluggish Week13, the Caps seem far ahead of where many
thought they would be, and now they get a pair of games against an old rival –the
Philadelphia Flyers – in Week 14.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Three Stars</b></p><b>
</b><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>First Star</u>: Alex Ovechkin (3-0-3, plus-2, 13 shots on goal,
13 credited hits, only one goal against on ice at even strength)</li><li><u>Second Star</u>: Sonny Milano (2-1-3, plus-4), nine shots on
goal)</li><li><u>Third Star</u>: Nicolas Aube-Kubel (2-0-2, plus-1, four shots on
goal, only two games played)</li></ul><p> <br /></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-6981429400193978342023-01-01T11:57:00.001-05:002023-01-01T11:57:18.885-05:00Programming Note<p>We will be on hiatus for the next week while we attend to some personal business. We hope to be back next weekend, and in the meantime...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CbN0ktUIt0s" width="320" youtube-src-id="CbN0ktUIt0s"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-21610226985555720592022-12-30T15:33:00.000-05:002022-12-30T15:33:04.682-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 39: Canadiens at Capitals, December 31<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals ring out the old year on Saturday
afternoon wanting to ring the nasty stains of a fall-from-ahead 4-3 overtime
loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Montreal Canadiens will arrive at Capital One Arena to provide the
opposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the overtime loss to
the Senators, the Caps will go into the 2022 finale on a six-game points streak
(5-0-1) and, with a win, could still finish December with the best record in
the league for the month (currently 10-2-2, one point behind Carolina at
11-0-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Montreal might be coming into this game thinking the Stanley
Cup final they played in two seasons ago was in 1921, not 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, the most celebrated franchise in
the NHL is 37-67-14, their 88 standings points earned tied with Arizona and Chicago
for fewest in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montreal has
made progress this season, but they still have a long was to go to be
competitive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 15-18-3, Montreal is in
eighth place in the Atlantic Division and 11 points out of a wild-card
spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Canadiens struggle to score, their 2.61 goals per game
tied for 28<sup>th</sup> in the league in scoring offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two skaters have reached double digits
in goals through 36 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cole Caufield
is one of the players around whom the Canadiens hope to build in the seasons
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 15<sup>th</sup> overall pick
of the 2019 Entry Draft, Caufield is one goal short of posting his second straight
20-goal season (he had 23 in 67 games last season).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is on a pace to finish this season with 43
goals, which would make him the first 40-goal scorer for Montreal since Vincent
Damphousse finished the 1993-1994 season with 40 goals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While Caufield has been productive in his goal scoring
overall, there is a definite home tilt to his production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 16 home games to date, he is 13-3-16,
minus-5; while he is 6-6-12, minus-4, in 20 road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His goal scoring matters, the Canadiens going
9-5-1 in the 15 games in which he had goals, 6-13-2 in the 21 games he went without
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More to the point for this game,
Montreal has not lost a road game in regulation in which he had a goal (4-0-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, he comes into this game on
a four-game streak without a goal on the road, the Canadiens losing each of those
games (0-3-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four career games
against Washington, Caufield is 2-1-3, minus-3.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nick Suzuki is the other double digit goal scorer for the
Canadiens with 15 in 36 games, and his 31 points leads the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On September 12<sup>th</sup>, he was named
the 31<sup>st</sup> captain in Montreal history, following Shea Weber in the
position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 23 years of age, he became
the youngest captain in franchise history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The 13<sup>th</sup> overall pick of the 2017 Entry Draft by the Vegas
Golden Knights, he was traded to Montreal in September 2018 with a second round
draft pick in 2019 and Tomas Tatar to the Canadiens for Max Pacioretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four seasons with Montreal, he has improved
steadily, going 13-28-41 in 71 games as a rookie in 2019-2020 to 15-26-41 in 56
games in 2020-2021 to 21-40-61 in 82 games last season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, Suzuki is 15-16-31, a 34-36-70 scoring pace
thqat would make him only the second Canadien over the last 13 seasons to
record 70 or more points (Max Domi had 72 points in 2018-2019).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike Caufield, Suzuki’s scoring has been
balanced between home and road venues – 7-8-15 in 16 home games and 8-8-16 in 20
road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Suzuki has not been is
hot lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After posting points in five
of six games to end November and start December, he is just 1-1-2, minus-8,
over his last ten games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has really
cooled off on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After going 8-8-16
in his first 15 road games, Suzuki is on a five-game streak on the road without
a point and has gone seven straight road games without a goal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is 3-3-6, minus-4, in seven career games
against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You would think that a team trying to rebuild and climb back
into the playoff conversation would be giving young players a long look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of the Canadiens, you would be
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montreal has five rookie skaters
this season with more than 30 games played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Defenseman Kaiden Guhle leads that group, the only Montreal rookie to
appear in all 36 games so far this season. He leads all rookie defensemen in
games played, and only Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston has appeared in more games
as a rookie to date (37). Guhle, another first round pick (16<sup>th</sup>
overall in the 2020 Entry Draft), is tied for ninth in scoring in his draft
class this season (2-12-14) and the leading scorer among defensemen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Guhle’s season started in modest fashion, going 1-2-3,
minus-3, in his first 11 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
starting with a two-point night against the Vegas Golden Knights on November 5<sup>th</sup>
(a 6-4 Montreal loss), he is 1-10-11, minus-11, in his last 25 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, that minus-11 does stick out, but he
is one of four Canadiens in double digit negative territory in that category,
including Caufield (minus-10) and Suzuki (minus-12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His home-road split is significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he has yet to record a goal on home
ice, he has nine assists in 16 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
the road, he is just 2-3-5 in 20 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has, however, raised in road production a bit over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first ten road games, Guhle was 1-0-1,
minus-4, but over his last ten road contests, he is 1-3-4, minus-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was without a point and posted a minus-2
rating in his only appearance against the Caps to date.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xc1xA-L3Z-hfzXS9_nHlmRNvOicBwvgoArXvTMKQ5o0URpkChvBpWYbhoi8phWikLDf_o-mQmmazTGg7kMDFNoxdTAShtbe4lfFhYARB6awlH44c-3z6lsMhFWBP3UpbW6zAvZncc1sXByQczaDY8fkXTikNFMtkAQhUpuLiYs3ztW934w/s432/5%20random%20facts%20MTL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xc1xA-L3Z-hfzXS9_nHlmRNvOicBwvgoArXvTMKQ5o0URpkChvBpWYbhoi8phWikLDf_o-mQmmazTGg7kMDFNoxdTAShtbe4lfFhYARB6awlH44c-3z6lsMhFWBP3UpbW6zAvZncc1sXByQczaDY8fkXTikNFMtkAQhUpuLiYs3ztW934w/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20MTL.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the Canadiens
prepare for their last game in the calendar year, their 30-45-10 record is 29<sup>th</sup>
in the league in points earned since January 1<sup>st</sup> (70) and 28<sup>th</sup>
n points percentage (.412).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montreal’s 2.85
goals per game ranks 26 in scoring offense in 2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 3.86 goals
allowed per game in 2022 leaves Montreal as the 31<sup>st</sup>-ranked scoring
defense in the league this calendar year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canadiens’ special
teams struggled in 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their power
play ranked 31<sup>st</sup> (15.1 percent), their penalty kill ranked 21<sup>st</sup>
(77.0 percent), and their special teams index (92.1) ranked 29<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montreal was 9-27
in games decided by three or more goals, their .250 winning percentage ranking
29<sup>th</sup> in the league in 2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFjL6MAz6frPdr6xolvpJBYDmamjIX5vX14tC7Td6MH336Fn3DB_KdcmgHiX3Vjgv7DH_Nh_FjCdqOKr76fAcXwKGvzwbbOS0XuwElGrokkuQy9W1HEuPr8w7VXlZ-hLrQIqOXoHU_uPn6Odj1Fp3nkxCLoAGNuRNBvfMlzaSkPOwGMpiAA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFjL6MAz6frPdr6xolvpJBYDmamjIX5vX14tC7Td6MH336Fn3DB_KdcmgHiX3Vjgv7DH_Nh_FjCdqOKr76fAcXwKGvzwbbOS0XuwElGrokkuQy9W1HEuPr8w7VXlZ-hLrQIqOXoHU_uPn6Odj1Fp3nkxCLoAGNuRNBvfMlzaSkPOwGMpiAA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington goes
into their last game of the calendar year with 98 points earned, 18<sup>th</sup>
in the league in points (44-33-10), and their .563 points percentage ranks 18<sup>th</sup>
as well.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps’ 3.15
goals per game in 2022 is the 17<sup>th</sup>-ranked scoring offense, and their
3.01 goals allowed per game ranks 13<sup>th</sup> in the league in scoring
defense in the calendar year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 21.0 percent
power play ranks the Capitals 20<sup>th</sup> in the league in 2022, their 80.3
percent penalty kill ranks 13<sup>th</sup>, and their 10.3 special teams index
ranks 17<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has
3.23 power play chances per game with one game left in 2022, the fifth-most power
play chances per game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have just
171 5-on-5 goals in 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The are one of
two teams (Winnipeg is the other) to have a scoring offense of at least 3.10
goals per game and fewer than 175 goals at 5-on-5.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Montreal</b></span>: Jake Allen/Sam Montembeault</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Old or young, veteran or inexperienced, Jake Allen or Sam
Montembeault?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been little
difference in the performance of the Montreal goaltenders this season, which is
not to say that either Allen or Montembeault have been great, or even good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of that might be a product to a young
team in front of them, but their numbers, while very similar, are not among the
league leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Allen, 32 years old with ten seasons and 377 games in the
NHL, has had the lion’s share of starts (24 in 36 games), posting a record of 9-14-1,
3.29, .900.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those 14 losses in
regulation are tied with Anaheim’s John Gibson for most in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His goals against average ranks 46<sup>th</sup>
among 65 goalies with at least 500 minutes played, while his save percentage
ranks 39<sup>th</sup> in that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Montembeault, 26 years old with 75 games played over four seasons, has
12 starts, going 6-4-2, 3.23, .904.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
goals against average ranks 43<sup>rd</sup> in that group of 65 goalies, while
his save percentage ranks 35<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While Allen has been more of the “home” goaltender (14 of
his 24 starts were at Bell Centre), Montembeault has been almost the designated
road goalie, ten of his 12 starts this season coming on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the odd part of that is his road record
is not very good – 4-4-2, 3.49, .898 – while he is 2-0-0, 1.96, .934 in his
only two starts on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
other hand, Allen is 4-5-1, 2.70, .923 on the road and just 5-9-0, 3.72, .882
at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allen is 3-3-0, 2.97, .902,
with one shutout in six career games against the Caps, while Montembeault is
0-2-0, 4.40, .859, in three career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Aliaksei Protas</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last season, Aliaksei Protas was 3-6-9, plus-4, in 33
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far this season, he is 3-4-7,
plus-1, in 38 games, one of nine Capitals to appear in every game to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has gone long stretches without points
this season, recording two streaks of six games without a point and another
eight-game streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he goes without a
point against Montreal, he will add another six-game streak to this year’s
log.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not get much in the way of
scoring line minutes, and he is averaging about a minute less per game in ice
time this year (10:58) than last year (11:50). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It makes Protas’ relatively unchanged stat line from last
year to this look unsurprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
despite his modest production to date, there is the “canary in a coal mine”
aspect to his game that one might remember was a hallmark of former Capital Jay
Beagle’s game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he puts crooked
numbers on the score sheet, the Caps win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are 3-0-0 in the games in which he had goals so far and 6-0-0 in
games in which he had points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
much the same last season, when the Caps went 3-0-0 in games in which he had
goals and 7-1-0 in games in which he had points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while he is not an especially physical
player, the Caps are 10-4-3 in games in which he recorded at least one
hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protas’ production on home ice has
lagged, going 1-1-2, plus-1, in 18 games, while he is 2-3-5, even, I 20 road
contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is 0-0-0, even, in two career
games against Montreal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One bad loss is bad, two against a pair of non-playoff teams
to end the calendar year would be worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The way the Caps lost to Ottawa, giving up a two goal lead and losing in
overtime on home ice, had to sting. But is not as if the Caps have dominated
this team on their rink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teams split
their last 20 decisions in Washington right down the middle, each with ten
wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the Caps’ offense over those
20 games has been a dry well, averaging just 2.70 goals per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, their defense has been better,
allowing the Canadiens only 2.25 goals per game over those 20 contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After going dormant late in the game against
Ottawa, a fast start in this one would not be surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly would be welcome.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 5 – Canadiens 2</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-67599441571890159512022-12-28T15:28:00.000-05:002022-12-28T15:28:07.134-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 38: Senators at Capitals, December 29<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals return from New York and their 4-0
win over the Rangers on Tuesday night to start a three-game home stand on
Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators at Capital One Arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are on a five-game winning streak,
their second five-game winning streak this month, and their 13-3-1 since November
23<sup>rd</sup> is the second best record in the league over that span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ottawa has been the epitome of a streaky team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting with a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils
on November 19<sup>th</sup>, the Senators have gone 18 games over which they
have had either consecutive wins or consecutive losses, save for an odd 3-1
loss to the New York Rangers on November 30<sup>th</sup> that was sandwiched
between two two-game winning streaks, and a 3-2 Gimmick win over the Boston
Bruins in their last contest that followed a three-game losing streak (0-2-1).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Senators are 9-7-2 over those 18 games, leaving them
mired in seventh place in the Atlantic Division and ten points out of a playoff
spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over those 18 games the Senators
have struggled to score, their 2.1 goals per game ranking 26<sup>th</sup> in
the league in scoring offense over that span.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drake Batherson has seven of the 47 goals scored by the
Senators in this stretch to lead the team, bringing his season total to 12
goals in 34 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the fifth-year right
winger, this could be a break out season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Following a pair of 17-goal seasons with abbreviated schedules (one to
COVID, the other to an ankle injury for which he missed 28 games), he is on a
pace to finish with 29 goals this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, depending on what Claude Giroux (14 goals) and Brady Tkachuk (13
goals) do over the rest of the regular season, he could be only the third
30-goal scorer for Ottawa since 2011-2012 (Tkachuk and Josh Norris did it last
season), when Milan Michalek (35 goals) and Jason Spezza (34 goals) did it for
Ottawa.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another number that would (and as the moment does) represent
a career best (or worst) is his minus-23 rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the second-worst among 817 skaters to
play this season and is a minus-55 pace over a full season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only ten skaters have been on ice for more
even strength goals scored against the Senators than Batherson (39 goals
against).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unsurprisingly, the Senators
are 3-14-0 in the 17 games in which he posted a negative rating (1-4-0 in the
five games in which he posted goals).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
three times in 34 games did he have a positive rating and none since November
10<sup>th</sup> when he was plus-1 in a 4-3 overtime loss to New Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he brings to this game is that he scored
goals in each of the first two meetings of these teams this year – a pair of
power play goals less than two minutes apart in a 5-2 loss to the Caps on
October 20<sup>th</sup> and a goal in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Caps on
December 22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In six career
games against the Caps, Batherson is 6-1-7, plus-2.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nick Holden has been around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The 12-year veteran has played in 618 games for six different
franchises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now, in his second
season with the Ottawa Senators, he finds himself as the oldest player to skate
for the team this season (he will turn 36 in May).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holden has been a defenseman who managed to
carve out a long career without the advantage of being much of an offensive
contributor. Since he came into the league in 2010-2011 with the Columbus Blue
Jackets, he is one of <a href="https://www.nhl.com/stats/skaters?reportType=season&seasonFrom=20102011&seasonTo=20222023&gameType=2&position=D&filter=assists,lte,120&filter=goals,lte,60&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,600&sort=points,goals,assists&page=0&pageSize=50">a dozen defensemen</a> to have logged more than 600 games
while posting fewer than 50 goals and fewer than 120 assists.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been a rather typical season for Holden (1-5-6,
minus-7, in 29 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he has done
well, or more accurately, the team has when he had heavier ice time loads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In ten games in which he skated 17:30 or more
to date, Ottawa is 6-4-0, while they are 7-9-3 in the 19 games he skated
less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not an especially physical
defender, but in 13 games in which he was credited with two or more hits,
Ottawa is 8-3-0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sens are 6-3-2 when
he had two or more blocked shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
numbers might not show up in the post-game credits, but if he is posting decent
totals in underlying numbers, in the grittier, less-rewarded elements of the
game, it might be the difference between winning and losing for the Senators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holden is 2-2-4, minus-4, in 19 career games
against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ottawa has dressed three rookies this season for more than
30 games apiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Montreal has done
so with as many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Centers Shane Pinto
(34) and Mark Kastelic (31), and defenseman Jake Sanderson (34) make up the
trio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pinto leads the group in goals
scored (ten, tied for second among all rookies) and points (16, tied for sixth
among all rookies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A second-round (32<sup>nd</sup>
overall) pick in the 2019 Entry Draft, Pinto spent two seasons with the
University of North Dakota hockey program, going 31-29-60 in 61 games with the
Fighting Hawks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the following two
seasons he played in 17 games with Ottawa (preserving his rookie status for
this season), posting a goal and seven assists.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pinto was fast out the gate to start this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After going without a point on Opening Night,
he recorded single goals in each of his next five games and six of seven
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ottawa was 4-2-0 in those
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might have been a signal that
he was going to be a scoring force to be reckoned with and an indicator of team
success with his scoring, but he has cooled off considerably since that hot
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 26 games since, Pinto is
4-5-9, minus-11, and the Sens are just 1-1-1 in the three games in which he
posted goals (4-1-2 in the seven games in which he had points).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of note for this game, Pinto has not scored
goal on the road with November 10<sup>th</sup> when he had a pair in a 4-3
overtime loss in New Jersey to the Devils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pinto is 1-1-2, plus-2, in two career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHoRpHTLrdr__ro6s3w67n4NwqduywWYIZsas40i8XNxwSKHid8tfxNrpaxbo9GsfOxlZHmpbv6F-hTZwmybwcX_RgA14YTp23mnbq2_G4HZStIFB1Yq-BVZlwVSoNSHMgxPA6oOuJ15vdX0YCB7CzyAu3aecByx6j81sTU6p4SQztE76rQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20OTT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHoRpHTLrdr__ro6s3w67n4NwqduywWYIZsas40i8XNxwSKHid8tfxNrpaxbo9GsfOxlZHmpbv6F-hTZwmybwcX_RgA14YTp23mnbq2_G4HZStIFB1Yq-BVZlwVSoNSHMgxPA6oOuJ15vdX0YCB7CzyAu3aecByx6j81sTU6p4SQztE76rQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20OTT.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ottawa comes into
this game with a 6-8-2 record on the road, tied for 27<sup>th</sup> in the league
in points earned (14) and tied for 25<sup>th</sup> in points percentage (.438).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Senators’ 2.75
goals per game on the road is the 24<sup>th</sup>-ranked scoring offense in the
league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. On the other hand, the Senators’ road power play has been
formidable, their 30.9 percent success rate tied for best in the league with
Dallas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ottawa’s penalty
killers are one of one of five teams this season yet to allow a shorthanded
goal on the road.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Boston and
Chicago have scored first in road games fewer times (four and twice, respectively)
than the Senators (five times in 16 games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gk6yLcNux_o8m3JGcluSvn_331CuOJw8VJVo_aiE2XTXeQQ9eUWdduPJfb1KP2TSpG6E2gSvgn5sB8XtDfaY8dREggSqnoHrMRx-8DI73eHXygUB1JaRwIoE8T7Ofku74BEErdF2sanyMdKaKN1HYOM9u_8neHTJ-Ek69PFj__I6sW_uNA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gk6yLcNux_o8m3JGcluSvn_331CuOJw8VJVo_aiE2XTXeQQ9eUWdduPJfb1KP2TSpG6E2gSvgn5sB8XtDfaY8dREggSqnoHrMRx-8DI73eHXygUB1JaRwIoE8T7Ofku74BEErdF2sanyMdKaKN1HYOM9u_8neHTJ-Ek69PFj__I6sW_uNA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have
allowed 2.53 goals per game on home ice, the sixth-best scoring defense in the
league.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington’s 85.0
percent penalty kill on home ice is fourth-best it the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the New York
Islanders have scored fewer first period goals on home ice (six in 17 games)
than the Caps (nine in 17 games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only five teams
have allowed fewer goals in the first period on home ice than the Caps (ten).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only four teams have
had fewer shorthanded situations faced on home ice than the Caps (2.35 per
game).</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Ottawa</b></span>: Claude Giroux</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, he has held up his end of the bargain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Claude Giroux signed a three-year/$19.5
million contract with Ottawa last July, he was returnng to the province in
which he was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he is still
just 34 years old, it had a bit of the last, play out the string feel as a
contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Giroux isn’t playing as if
he is ready for retirement soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
leads this years Senators team in goals (14), is fifth in assists (15), tied
for fourth in points (29), tied for fifth in power play points (11), has one of
the two overtime goals scored by a Senator this season, and is tied for second
in game-winning goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But what is lost in his contributions is that they have
largely gone for naught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has at least
one goal in 12 games this season, but Ottawa is only 5-7-0 in those games
(3-4-0 on the road).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has points in 19
games, but the Senators are just 8-10-1 in those games (4-4-1 on the road).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He logged at least 17:30 in 21 games, the team
is just 6-12-3 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
won only once in eight tries when he has at least four shots on goal (1-6-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is more ominous for the Senators, his
production has fallen off after a fast start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Giroux was 8-10-18, plus-2, in his first 17 games (the Sens were just
6-10-1 in those games), while he is 6-5-11, minus-2, in his last 17 games (the
team is 9-6-2 over that span).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Odd
Giroux fact… he has never had a game-winning goal against Washington, something
none of the other 14 active players with more than 30 career points against the
Caps can say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 58 career games against
the Caps, Giroux is 24-28-52, plus-8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only four active players have faced the Caps in more regular season
games, and only four have recorded more points against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Garnet Hathaway</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After a brutal start in which he had two goals and four points
in his first 30 games, Garnet Hathaway is showing signs of being the
contributor he was last season when he had a career high in goals (14) and
points (26) in 76 games played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his
last seven games, Hathaway is 1-3-4, plus-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has not forsaken his lean toward mischief in doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over those seven games he is tied for 11<sup>th</sup>
in the league in credited hits (21) and is 14<sup>th</sup> among 508 players
appearing in at least five games in hits per 60 minutes (14.12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he has been playing in the rules, too,
earning just one minor penalty in those seven games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those penalty minutes are noteworthy in the overall context
of his season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does have 37 minutes
in penalties this season, but almost half of them were earned in a single game,
the product of a five-minute fighting, a ten-minute misconduct, and a
two-minute minor for tripping in a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay on November 11<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He earned single minor penalties in ten other
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the results of those games,
the Caps would just as soon he took none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington was 2-8-0 in those ten games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It would be better than Hathaway maintain the momentum in
the scoring aspect of the game he generated over his last seven games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are 5-1-0 in the six games in which
he had point so far this season and are 40-12-4 in games in which he posted at
least one point in his four seasons with the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hathaway is 1-0-1, even, in two career games against
Ottawa.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal">After dominating wins in their last two outings against two
of the league’s better teams – Winnipeg and the New York Rangers – the Caps
enter a soft spot in the schedule with nine consecutive games against teams
currently out of the playoff mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
string starts Thursday night against Ottawa and is not a time to think about
easing off the throttle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 5 – Senators 3</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-14629779577683904702022-12-26T17:16:00.000-05:002022-12-26T17:16:46.574-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 37: Capitals at Rangers, December 27<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals return to the ice on Tuesday night with
a visit to Madison Square Garden for a date with the New York Rangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It promises to be one of those “irresistible force
meets immovable object” contests, but not in the way you might think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the Caps bringing Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny
Kuznetsov, Dylan Strome, Conor Sheary, and more to this matchup, you would
think the “irresistible force” is the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And with the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Igor Shesterkin, in goal for
the Rangers, they might be viewed as the “immovable object.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, no, not exactly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since Thanksgiving, the Caps have had a productive offense, averaging
3.53 goals per game, tenth in the league in scoring offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is their defense that has shined,
allowing only 2.20 goals per game, third in the league in scoring defense.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the other side, the Rangers have had a good scoring
defense, allowing only 2.71 goals per game, tied for eighth in the league in
scoring defense since Thanksgiving, but they have wreaked havoc on opposing
goaltenders, averaging 3.71 goals per game, sixth in the league in scoring
offense.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That scoring offense has been led in goals by Chris Kreider
with seven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last season, Kreider posted
his first career 50-goal season, finishing the season with 52 goals and
obliterating his previous career high of 28 goals with the Rangers in
2016-2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whereas last season was
jump started with 16 goals in his first 21 games, this season started slowly
for Kreider, who had only four goals in his first 13 games, a respectable 25-goal
pace, but less than half of last year’s output.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kreider has awakened from his early season slumber, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has 12 goals in his last 22 games, a
45-goal pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The odd part about Kreider’s recent goal scoring has been
how loosely tied it has been to success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Rangers are 3-3-0 in the last six games in which he scored at least
one goal and just 6-4-0 in the ten games he scored goals over his 22-game goal
scoring run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not even that his overall
points scoring has been all that influential on wins, although the Rangers’
record in those games is better than if Kreider is considered only for his
goals scored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 21 games this season in
which he had at least one point, New York is 11-6-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice time is also an issue, which is not
surprising given that the Rangers depend on his production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only three times in 13 instances of Kreider skating
at least 20 minutes this season did the Rangers win (3-6-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kreider comes into this game with two goals
in his last five games, both in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh on December 20<sup>th</sup>,
the Rangers’ only loss in their last nine games<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is 9-6-15, even, in 35 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Rangers have had 1,011 players skate for them in their
96 seasons in the NHL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None have recorded
more points per game than Artemi Panarin – 1.31 in 221 games, far more than
second-place Jaromir Jagr (1.15 points per game in 277 games with the
Rangers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is one of only four players
in Rangers history to record two seasons with 95 or more points (95 in
2019-2020 and 96 points last season).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jagr, Mark Messier, and Rod Gilbert are the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his four seasons with the Rangers, only
three players in the league have more points than the 290 he recorded<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connor McDavid (391), Leon Draisaitl (360),
and Auston Matthews (291).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So why, while he is respected as a superior talent, is Panarin
not in the conversation all that often among elite point producers in the NHL?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an odd situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It cannot be his goal scoring, which has been
quite consistent over his eight-year career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, in his previous stops with the Chicago Blackhawks and the
Columbus Blue Jackets – two seasons with Chicago and two with Columbus – he posted
116 goals in 322 games, a 30-goal pace per 82 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four seasons with the Rangers, Panarin has
80 goals in 221 games, a 30-goal pace per 82 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he has never led the team in goals
over an entire season (he is tied for fourth this season with nine goals in 35
games), but he has led the team in points in each of his three seasons
preceding this one and leads this year’s club with 41 points in 35 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has had his ups and downs this season,
though. He was 5-11-16 in his first ten games, but then he went 21 games with
but one goal (he did have 19 assists).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has come out of that slump, going 3-3-6, plus-2, in is last four games entering
this contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panarin is 10-16-26,
plus-8, in 24 career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Adam Fox has led a blessed life, and a cursed one, since he
arrived with the New York Rangers in 2019-2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His was a career that started modestly, a third-round (66<sup>th</sup>
overall) pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2016 Entry Draft, the 18<sup>th</sup>
defensemen picked in that draft (and, it might interest Caps fans to know,
later than Lucas Johansen (28<sup>th</sup> overall) and former Capital Dennis
Chowloski (20<sup>th</sup> by Detroit)).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would later be traded to Carolina (with Micheal Ferland and Dougie
Hamilton for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm) and then to the Rangers in April 2019
for a second-round draft pick in 2019 and a third-round draft pick in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his 2019-2020 rookie season, with the
Rangers, Fox dressed for 70 games and finished 8-34-42, plus-22, tied for
second among rookie defensemen in goals, third in assists, third in points, and
first in plus-minus rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finished
fourth in the Calder Trophy voting that year for top rookie, third among rookie
defensemen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fox followed that up with a
5-42-47, plus-19 in 55 games of the COVID-shortened 2020-2021 season and won
the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the next new thing in offensive
defensemen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or maybe not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of
the defensemen finishing ahead of Fox in the Calder Trophy voting in 2019-2020,
the Calder Trophy winner, in fact, was a youngster in Colorado – Cale Makar – a
defenseman with the stick handling skills of a top end forward and well-defined
hockey sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Makar, who is as
close to a human highlight reel as one will find at the position, who has become
the next big thing among offensive defensemen, despite similar statistics over
his four seasons (55=154-209, plus-80, in 210 game) to those of Fox (31-167-198,
plus-72, in 238 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes Fox’
numbers noteworthy is how quickly he has climbed up the all-time lists for the
Rangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the 319 defensemen to
play for New York in franchise history, he ranks 22<sup>nd</sup> in goals (31),
16<sup>th</sup> in assists (167), 16<sup>th</sup> in points (198), tenth n power
play points (82), and tied for ninth in game-winning goals (nine), despite
ranking only 40<sup>th</sup> in games played (238).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 14 career games against the Caps, Fox is
1-10-11, plus-12.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9scuv5aJKn4ur8_yle4pu6a5AH3ens8_JcVhzuaf_HH7H3Cy5Z_48lYFbBXxIKtqlBSapvSDxyBBIq4_zzueVLnhpSbh5Owx90PKHCOLltzVNsLzEBx0kZVUc5pzMNa0mRrxhxcxkPLVg5JzLr5giKgFKA8Tqh0gBCDgb3Eg9QOqMIw1LtQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20NYR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9scuv5aJKn4ur8_yle4pu6a5AH3ens8_JcVhzuaf_HH7H3Cy5Z_48lYFbBXxIKtqlBSapvSDxyBBIq4_zzueVLnhpSbh5Owx90PKHCOLltzVNsLzEBx0kZVUc5pzMNa0mRrxhxcxkPLVg5JzLr5giKgFKA8Tqh0gBCDgb3Eg9QOqMIw1LtQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20NYR.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rangers have
not been a dominating team on home ice this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their 8-6-4 record is tied for 13<sup>th</sup>
place in points earned on home ice (20, with four other team), and their .556
points percentage ranks 19<sup>th</sup> in the league.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scoring on home
ice has been an issue for the Rangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their 3.00 goals per game at MSG is the 22<sup>nd</sup>-ranked scoring
offense in the league on home ice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scoring defense
has been less than impressive, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New
York has allowed 3.11 goals per game on home ice, tied for 17<sup>th</sup> in
the league in scoring defense.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scoring first
matters in the NHL, especially on home ice, but here the Rangers have come up
short by league standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are 6-2-2
in the ten games in which they scored first, their .600 winning percentage tied
for 22<sup>nd</sup> in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is a
one-goal contest, it could spell bad news for the Rangers. New York is 2-2-4 in
one-goal decisions on home ice this season, their .250 wining percentage tied
for 29<sup>th</sup> in the league.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D2n6wuQqlhPGViAurL9e22M2_dPYKJRmPmgeInlDbedpWZMAbjTDObjdeyIsaQk0aeKpL49L2yck3mI0WxTH0Qn5tCzAItP2_1KCCjpe4hPOphL9143qK48TcUq90xNZFNWiN3MIWUnk2l-wB5KF3VEhuRiXdi6nqs7lXVjNP3MxVlmNeA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D2n6wuQqlhPGViAurL9e22M2_dPYKJRmPmgeInlDbedpWZMAbjTDObjdeyIsaQk0aeKpL49L2yck3mI0WxTH0Qn5tCzAItP2_1KCCjpe4hPOphL9143qK48TcUq90xNZFNWiN3MIWUnk2l-wB5KF3VEhuRiXdi6nqs7lXVjNP3MxVlmNeA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are
12-3-1 since November 23<sup>rd</sup>, tied for the league lead in wins over
that span, second in points earned (25), and fifth in points percentage (.781).
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The penalty kill
has been very efficient for the Caps over that 16-game span, their 84.1 percent
penalty kill rate ranking third in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over those 16
games, the Caps recorded 33.7 shots on goal per game (sixth in the league),
allowed 28.4 shots per game (fourth-fewest), and their plus-5.3 shot differential
per game ranks third ovr that span.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eight wins by
three or more goals among the 12 wins in their 16-game run are tops in the
league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 16-game
run, the Caps trailed after two periods only three times, going 1-2-0 in those
contests.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>New York</b></span>: Igor Shesterkin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not 2021-2022 anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last season, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin finished sixth in wins (36),
first among 65 goalies with at least 1,000 minutes in goals against average
(2.07), first in save percentage (.935), third in shutouts (six), first in even
strength save percentage (.935; minimum: ten games played), and fifth in number
of games allowing two or fewer goals (31, minimum: 50 minutes played per game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won 29 of 32 first-place votes for the Vezina
Trophy to win going away (154 votes to 53 for Jacob Markstrom) and won 24 first-place
votes for the Hart Trophy as league most valuable player, the only goaltender
to earn any votes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, things have been different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 63 goalies to date to log at least 500
minutes, Shesterkin ranks ninth in goals against average (2.44), 15<sup>th</sup>
in save percentage (.916), tied for 14<sup>th</sup> in shutouts (one), 20<sup>th</sup>
in even strength save percentage (.924; minimum: five games played), and tied
for seventh in games allowing two or fewer goals (11; minimum: 50 minutes per
game).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It isn’t that Shesterkin has played badly, just that this
season has put into stark relief just how special – and perhaps unique – his 2021-2022
season was. He has been rather consistent this season – 6-2-2, 2.58, .910, with
one shutout in his first ten games; 4-2-2, 2.61, .916 in his next eight games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now, he is ramping up his game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is 7-1-0 in his last eight games with a
2.11 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over that span is second among all goalies in
wins (the Caps’ Charlie Lindgren has eight), tenth in goals against (minimum:
200 minutes), and 12<sup>th</sup> in save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shesterkin is 4-1-0, 2.22, .935 in five
career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Dylan Strome</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One has to think, and Caps fans have to hope, that there is
an eruption about to take place in the name of Dylan Strome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first 18 games this season with the Caps,
he posted five goals on 33 shots, a 15.2 shooting percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With 13 points overall, he was on a pace for
a 23-36-59 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked like a
steal with a one-year/$3.5 million “show me” contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was showing folks that an extension was
merited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over his last 18 games he
is 1-11-12, his lone goal coming on 29 shots (3.4 shooting percentage),
although the goal was the game-winner in a 4-1 win over Philadelphia on December
7<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps have not really missed his drop in output, going
12-4-2 in those 18 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
sticks out in his production over those 18 games is that he is 1-8-9 in ten
road games, tied for third in points for Caps on the road over that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has not had a home or road weighted level
of performance this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His splits
are very balanced – 3-9-12, minus-4, in 17 home games, 3-10-13, minus-5, n 19 road
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But hose minus levels are a issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His minus-7 goal differential at even
strength overall is worst on the team this season, and in only two of his last
eight games was he a plus player in this category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Strome has been on ice for at least one even strength goal against in 18
games this season, and the Caps are 7-8-3 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the Caps are 9-5-1 in the
18 games in which he was on ice for an even strength goal scored by Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is also a bordering on the bizarre fact about his ice
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 13 games in which Strome skated
17 or more minutes, the Caps are 4-7-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are 15-6-2 in 23 games in which he skated less than 17 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been an odd season for the seven-year vet
in some ways, although on balance he gives evidence of being productive center
for years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal scoring
drought seems more hiccup than chronic malady, but Caps fans would no doubt
like to see those goals flowing freely once more to give balance to that on-ice
goal differential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strome is 1-4-5,
minus-3, in five career games against the Rangers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On November 22<sup>nd</sup>, the Caps were 7-10-3, seventh
in the Metropolitan Division and 13<sup>th</sup> in the Eastern Conference
standings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In five weeks, the Caps
climbed into the second wild-card spot, and with a win over the Rangers in
regulation in this contest would jump into the first wild-card spot and could,
with a Pittsburgh Penguins regulation loss to the New York Islanders, jump into
third place in the Metropolitan Division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Caps are in the thick of it now, and they need to stand on the gas
pedal as the year comes to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There would be no better place to do this than in New York on Tuesday
night.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 3 – Rangers 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-16407197890566281072022-12-25T12:28:00.001-05:002022-12-25T12:28:26.773-05:00We Interrupt Our Hockey for... Figgy Pudding SPAM!!!<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->We take a break from hockey for a moment to bring you a
public service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might have heard that
Hormel Foods, the folks who bring us SPAM, got into the holiday spirit and
offered us “Figgy Pudding SPAM” to enhance the holiday experience with flavored
canned meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to see what this
was all about and purchased a can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
we were getting cold feet about actually trying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as today is Christmas, the season of
miracles, we finally succumbed to the charms of “FPS” – Figgy Pudding SPAM –
and gave it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, we share with
you our experience.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsA7nDqw8RVGhrLZ-NcBHELNPbUkwKa9FRpGt4pgQmGvzeC0g4mBFHzOc3t9NIGDehQbHzPqViuIC0CO4D2GNvfXgY6ZLkq4FL9U4ZiN7hSMtWT6Ckw6SUi1hqg3vHCAdl8t9aHtz9lGRQHXsC3_2lUTxaRRiq9nfVYc7UK0wFbXatiR4yQ/s807/SPAM1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="807" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsA7nDqw8RVGhrLZ-NcBHELNPbUkwKa9FRpGt4pgQmGvzeC0g4mBFHzOc3t9NIGDehQbHzPqViuIC0CO4D2GNvfXgY6ZLkq4FL9U4ZiN7hSMtWT6Ckw6SUi1hqg3vHCAdl8t9aHtz9lGRQHXsC3_2lUTxaRRiq9nfVYc7UK0wFbXatiR4yQ/w400-h243/SPAM1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />And here we have the star of the show in all its packaging
splendor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have no idea what “figgy
pudding” is or that it is a traditional staple of Christmas, the holly on top
of the SPAMwreath on the plate gives it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The “flavor, spice, and everything nice” is a nice touch, too, although
the “flavor” thing is a bit ominous.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-b8hCWzbFBjzm7BYMhVu2uzEcdJpFyZzTiv7p-kGFxNGi0KBR9u2lLdgeEn0e3vcSOBl1qJAsk7Y_QEYiv9o0n8jsQZlwxPuJjdlDfkoTO5Qy4iJw7oO8-Bac5LLbW47ZxhlFzpt8dNpvS0Ow5PyRhR0lg2GQMkxpeu8K-LfPTOg4LorjA/s729/SPAM1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="729" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-b8hCWzbFBjzm7BYMhVu2uzEcdJpFyZzTiv7p-kGFxNGi0KBR9u2lLdgeEn0e3vcSOBl1qJAsk7Y_QEYiv9o0n8jsQZlwxPuJjdlDfkoTO5Qy4iJw7oO8-Bac5LLbW47ZxhlFzpt8dNpvS0Ow5PyRhR0lg2GQMkxpeu8K-LfPTOg4LorjA/w400-h269/SPAM1a.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here, FPS takes its place of honor among the other items in
our Christmas breakfast repast – two farm-fresh eggs and whole grain bread that
will be toasted to a golden brown, the perfect complements to the figginess of
the SPAM.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGDSn3wuQ7UivB3DwNzpRrwHFf97CkAXzYlRed4cYcf9FeSgAgJQGOdtofo7UJW3SZvQnEgQOOn-t7N-bw5rhud4JAcVIY8MtWEDpJwVHkssX_pAwXxaFr0G4v5TmP9DzvHkmJ7kxeaq4YEkdJm2DHPWgdrrJkIoqfUx2fR49lF9ejTETjg/s794/SPAM3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGDSn3wuQ7UivB3DwNzpRrwHFf97CkAXzYlRed4cYcf9FeSgAgJQGOdtofo7UJW3SZvQnEgQOOn-t7N-bw5rhud4JAcVIY8MtWEDpJwVHkssX_pAwXxaFr0G4v5TmP9DzvHkmJ7kxeaq4YEkdJm2DHPWgdrrJkIoqfUx2fR49lF9ejTETjg/w246-h400/SPAM3.png" width="246" /></a></div>We decided to take a look at the ingredients, to see just
what we were getting into, and we see that “pork with ham” is the main
ingredient (although ham being a pork product, there seems to be a bit of redundancy
here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sugar is next on the list, which
I suppose would not be surprising, the sweetness being a part of the “figgy”
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, the ingredients
read like something I might have found in my Organic Chemistry 351 class in
college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course, there is the
propylene glycol, so if my car runs low on anti-freeze, I can just add a few
spoonfuls of this concoction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note: no
figs.<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivooaenFUcgVwNY-fFKuphYfFlNtvEPbqEu4ZEBYadN-42txGtmhwrMCSOi03TEwLYa3hMsoWLtS-SJYTeXdBZbNTSxbHX4Q-pqRLw5Fm2u0q1wieIMHj57JJxGjvXT5vLvGalSQF1OOIBuJdGIB6tf-8iDpmvdvwHgsOnG8wnX6RM-zZJhA/s866/SPAM2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="866" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivooaenFUcgVwNY-fFKuphYfFlNtvEPbqEu4ZEBYadN-42txGtmhwrMCSOi03TEwLYa3hMsoWLtS-SJYTeXdBZbNTSxbHX4Q-pqRLw5Fm2u0q1wieIMHj57JJxGjvXT5vLvGalSQF1OOIBuJdGIB6tf-8iDpmvdvwHgsOnG8wnX6RM-zZJhA/s320/SPAM2.png" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">When we moved on to the nutrition facts, the first thing
that hit us was the absence of dietary fiber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good thing we added the two slices of whole grain toast to the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those percentages of daily values for total
fat, cholesterol, and sodium…yeesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Makes fruitcake soaked in egg nog almost seem like health food.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hTmbYDbuKONq6mYIIxt6XVfnssHLC0Rv4I5KF67e8FT9fcUe4nuefBhAJZUj3jrWHULgPS6MTzC8-9ghwzV8QnT7dOmaBuPtVWohXCBAoSVgaHl4yA6ro8UuTmjMeXkLwStJTxy-zYU_8f7KNAlAAcM8HznYja0N5pBYp0wmSJ9YNwNg1w/s761/SPAM4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="761" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hTmbYDbuKONq6mYIIxt6XVfnssHLC0Rv4I5KF67e8FT9fcUe4nuefBhAJZUj3jrWHULgPS6MTzC8-9ghwzV8QnT7dOmaBuPtVWohXCBAoSVgaHl4yA6ro8UuTmjMeXkLwStJTxy-zYU_8f7KNAlAAcM8HznYja0N5pBYp0wmSJ9YNwNg1w/w400-h244/SPAM4.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Opening the traditional pull-tab covering to reveal the
treasure within, we find that FPS has the familiar look of traditional SPAM –
vaguely meat-like and with the pure geometry that the SPAM “chunk” has that we have grown to
know, if not exactly love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcrS5hAR1JQICzm62iQPyGp1yGoXJ444R2JmyDnhf50O-goy4wsjH3thWVK2IG2sEMAZSROH3eSgraZgn4qucte5AN43I83kG4pwkUtvTXks21ov4fKqutJ9uC2OwaxyXiWcegVUr50KtlH1YPfQouKuL1QA4FMmJKWdGnEWEWnVFmMJNkw/s755/SPAM5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="755" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcrS5hAR1JQICzm62iQPyGp1yGoXJ444R2JmyDnhf50O-goy4wsjH3thWVK2IG2sEMAZSROH3eSgraZgn4qucte5AN43I83kG4pwkUtvTXks21ov4fKqutJ9uC2OwaxyXiWcegVUr50KtlH1YPfQouKuL1QA4FMmJKWdGnEWEWnVFmMJNkw/w400-h260/SPAM5.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />And here is the de-canned product in all its schloopy
goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would be hard pressed to
find someone who did not recognize this for what it is – America’s favorite
canned meat product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And many among you
have your SPAM stories to tell, no doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just about lived on this stuff when I was working on clean-up crews
after the Tropical Storm Agnes flood of 1972. SPAM on white bread..ahh,
memories.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x5-Kro6STNi4R0C6EF6pYOM_8YeNP2ehCbryWdWTVuCLhx3f4HqfaZa_JvEfNXj4N6icp8DpTWajRCNDxZbZ1b18VIYpA6apZnq7ODlUcXhikhujiOfaF_uqV8Sb6zYg-hb1Qj0FEWdW_eRq590plk0r_XhvzwgpjstIvlIAhYW5G4NmuA/s572/SPAM6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="572" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x5-Kro6STNi4R0C6EF6pYOM_8YeNP2ehCbryWdWTVuCLhx3f4HqfaZa_JvEfNXj4N6icp8DpTWajRCNDxZbZ1b18VIYpA6apZnq7ODlUcXhikhujiOfaF_uqV8Sb6zYg-hb1Qj0FEWdW_eRq590plk0r_XhvzwgpjstIvlIAhYW5G4NmuA/w400-h343/SPAM6.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But back to the matter at hand (and we must concede that SPAM
is, in fact, composed of matter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is the finished product, ready to be served and consumed with a glass of egg nog in what is sure to be
another fond holiday memory that we will cherish to the end of our days…or at
least until later this afternoon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, what is the verdict?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FPS has the vaguely “spackle-like” texture one associates with the traditional
product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not a complement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to slice, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A spork would probably do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for cooking it, it does brown nicely in the
skillet, although not a brown I would associate with any artist’s palette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the flavor…<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Try as I might, one slice is all I could choke down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot compare its taste to anything known
in the food world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has the mouth feel
of wet cement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The folks who make this
stuff use the catch line, “sizzle, pork, and mmmm,” a play on the name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What came to mind for us was “Stop Posing As
Meat!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On a scale of four twinkle lights, we give FPS...well, let's not go there. </p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-29631012255562249152022-12-24T13:07:00.001-05:002022-12-24T13:07:30.606-05:00'Twas the Night Before Capsmas...Again<p></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</p><p class="MsoNormal">Twas the night before Christmas, when all ‘round the rink<br />Not a creature was stirring, you could hear yourself think.<br />The stockings were hung by the lockers with care,<br />In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Cappies were nestled all snug in their beds,<br />While visions of Stanley Cups danced in their heads.<br />With the boys dressed in warmups, and wearing their caps,<br />They’d just settled in for a long winter’s nap.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When out on the ice there arose such a clatter,<br />I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.<br />Away to the tunnel I flew like a flash,<br />Knocked over some sticks and fell with a crash.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The lights in the arena on the new sheet of ice<br />Gave the lustre of mid-day, it was oh, very nice.<br />When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,<br />But a miniature Zamboni, and eight tiny reindeer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a little old driver, so lively and quick,<br />I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.<br />More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,<br />And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Now Trevor! now, T.J.! now, Sonny and Kuzy!<br />On, Darcy! On, Chuckie! on, Sheary and Ovie!<br />To the top of the glass! to the top of the wall!<br />Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As players that before the wild Hurricanes fly,<br />When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.<br />So up to the roof-top the coursers they flew,<br />With the Zamboni full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the slate<br />The prancing and pawing of each little skate.<br />As I drew in my head, and was turning around,<br />Down the stairs St Nicholas came with a bound.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,<br />And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.<br />A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,<br />And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!<br />His cheeks were like roses, his nose like Don Cherry!<br />His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,<br />And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,<br />And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.<br />He had a broad face and a little round belly,<br />That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,<br />And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!<br />A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,<br />Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,<br />And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.<br />And laying his finger aside of his nose,<br />And giving a nod, up the stairs he rose!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He sprang to his Zamboni, to his team gave a whistle,<br />And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.<br />But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,<br /><i>"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"</i></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-39257732683199715182022-12-23T14:00:00.001-05:002022-12-24T13:01:38.087-05:00An Appreciation for Those Who Bring Us the Games and More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuri41VGYqBtF9VwZWG0HztFXIkYnY-tZI_dC9wHa6JkKF0Xm5zi2t0jHkmtY0V0d3I5AVPRXRUqFvh2B0Bup9PWy7bEUNiSCvLuaptI6v9R1sFzLq7unPqqqJDZQhBzZeCafatiizUVJ6lG_6czsBA3CL3j3X-FIsGX7BoAEBxtBBI-zMWQ/s1200/microphones.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuri41VGYqBtF9VwZWG0HztFXIkYnY-tZI_dC9wHa6JkKF0Xm5zi2t0jHkmtY0V0d3I5AVPRXRUqFvh2B0Bup9PWy7bEUNiSCvLuaptI6v9R1sFzLq7unPqqqJDZQhBzZeCafatiizUVJ6lG_6czsBA3CL3j3X-FIsGX7BoAEBxtBBI-zMWQ/w400-h225/microphones.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>As the old year winds to a close, it is time for us to take
a moment to appreciate the people who bring us the game, the ones who, with
their commentary, analysis, and stories have enhanced the enjoyment of hockey
in this phase of the “Rock the Red” era immeasurably.
</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It starts with television and the voices of the Capitals,
Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin, the play-by-play and analyst calling the
action. Beninati, who has been calling games with Laughlin since the 1996-1997
season, has been the musical “score” of Caps hockey games in the Ovechkin
era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, like the best movie scores, he
enhances but never intrudes on what is taking place on the screen or on the
ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From his introducing Alex Ovechkin
to Caps fans on Opening Night of the 2005-2006 season…
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6fT_yMmBZsQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="6fT_yMmBZsQ"></iframe></div><br />…to his “simply sensational” call of “The Goal” by Alex
Ovechkin in January 2006…
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f6cTfjgejfw" width="320" youtube-src-id="f6cTfjgejfw"></iframe></div><br />…to those instances when he adds to the Dictionary of
Professional Hockey terms like “danglicious” <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YzZAOrpzlas" width="320" youtube-src-id="YzZAOrpzlas"></iframe></div><br />.…to Ovechkin’s assault on the record book taking place at
the moment, and for every moment and player in between, Beninati has been a
perfect fit as the voice narrating the golden era of Capitals hockey for
television audiences.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Craig Laughlin, who toiled for six seasons with the Caps in
the 1980’s and earned a reputation as a hard- working and perhaps underrated
talent on the ice, has been as hard-working a sort in his current capacity as
game analyst and impresses with his hockey smarts, his sense of timing, and his
quirky humor that plays well with Beninati in the booth and Caps fans tuning in
to game broadcasts (even when the topic strays from hockey… </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_CJ7TGpEajM" width="320" youtube-src-id="_CJ7TGpEajM"></iframe></div><br />That Laughlin has become a beloved icon in
Capitals history, whether on the ice or in the booth, not to mention <a href="https://www.thelaughlinfamilyfoundation.org/our-story">his work in charitable causes</a>, is no accident and is thoroughly deserved.
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Al Koken has done it all for Capitals hockey
broadcasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the early days of Home
Team Sports to his work these days “between the benches,” in the studio, or as
play-by-play and color analyst when needed, he has been the through line of
Capitals coverage for almost four decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is testimony to his excellence as a hockey media talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The perspective his years of experience in
this market provides is of inestimable value to listeners of Capitals
broadcasts, who benefit from his ability to provide perspective in his analysis
and a comfortable, but still enthusiastic approach in the booth on game nights
when calling or providing color analysis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And no one could describe that journey better than the man himself… </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jj1r7E3Ck88" width="320" youtube-src-id="jj1r7E3Ck88"></iframe></div><br />In the studio, Alexa Landesoy has not been here long; she
arrived on the scene after the Caps’ Stanley Cup win in 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But her missing out on that excitement does
not diminish from her contributions to the television experience these
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might escape notice because she
does it as easily and flawlessly as she does, but in hosting in-studio segments
for NBC SportsWashington pre-game, between periods, and post-game, she keeps
the action moving and engaging, smartly and seamlessly without being an
intrusive presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, perhaps her
most valuable contribution is in being able to hold her own in bantering with
Alan May at the studio desk.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which brings us to Alan May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a commentator, whether in the studio or between the benches during
games, he might be unique, or at least a member of a very special and rare
breed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has developed over the years a
style that takes advantage of his years as a player to communicate the game and
its subtleties without degenerating into indecipherable jargon that a lot of
former players-turned-analyst in just about any pro sport often do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also immune from being a mere “homer,” perfectly
willing to shine a bright light on shortcomings the Caps might display from
time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brings the same
feistiness to Caps broadcasts that he brought to the ice as a player for the
Caps over five seasons in the early 1990’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those attributes make him an essential element for watching Caps games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And don’t forget Brent Johnson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting the goalie’s eye view is an added
plus in the Capitals television coverage arsenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He breaks down goalie performance in a way
even the casual fan can understand, and he has a level-headed style that fans
can identify with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Alan May make
for an informative and entertaining pair in the studio analysis.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the radio side, Caps fans of long standing remember Ron
Weber as the original radio voice of the Caps who became an icon in Caps media
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hard standard to live
up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But John Walton has done just
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since arriving in DC in 2011 from
his position as communications director radio voice of the Hershey Bears (where
he broadcast some big games with the Bears winning Calder Trophies in 2006,
2009, and 2010), his post-win call of “Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good
Night!” became an unmistakable Walton signature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether big games or small, his enthusiasm in
his play-by-play style has earned a devoted following, and while his call on
Alex Ovechkin’s 800<sup>th</sup> goal was memorable, it is his call in the
Cup-clinching Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup final, especially in the dying
moments of the Capitals Stanley Cup win is perhaps the most memorable
play-by-play moment in team history…. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9mMy0029Z8E" width="320" youtube-src-id="9mMy0029Z8E"></iframe></div><br />Walton is announcer out of a classic mold, and Capitals
Nation is lucky to have him as the radio voice of the club for the last decade.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ken Sabourin does not have an easy job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the visual element of a television
broadcast that fans can see for themselves, the color analyst on radio must be
adept in communicating the “how” of things that happen on the ice completely
and succinctly while not interfering with the play-by-play. Sabourin, another
former Capital from the early 1990’s, has been at this for two decades with the
Caps and has become an analyst that navigates the difficulties of his job
adeptly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been a fine complement
to John Walton on the radio side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ben Raby is something of a jack-of-all trades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appears on radio, in print, on social media,
and whether doing features or hosting radio shows or providing commentary and
analysis, his ability to cross over from one medium to another and do so with
an ability to provide add to the wealth of information available to Caps fans is
perhaps unique among those who cover the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the print side, being a beat reporter strikes us as a
difficult job, especially in an age of social media that must always be fed
with timely, accurate, and unique information and perspectives that draw
readers and keep the information machine humming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, to do it under time pressures, whether
covering games, following stories on and off the ice, or focusing on players in
a manner fans would not otherwise experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Samantha Pell has not been covering the local Caps beat for all that
long, but she certainly has made a mark with her attention to the needs of
modern media to keep information flowing and to do so in a way that draws fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She continues a line of Caps beat reporters
who have given depth and body to Caps coverage, and who have built faithful
followings among Caps fans.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On a more national level, Tarik el-Bashir, who once covered
the Caps beat for the Post and now writes for The Athletic is, for our money,
the best team-centric NHL writer for that media outlet (or pretty much any
media outlet).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never fails to provide
a unique angle to his stories, whether focusing on players or the team
generally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while it might be
overlooked by fans sometimes but is difficult to maintain on a consistent and
reliable basis, he writes in an entertaining style that makes readers look
forward to his next story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His work is
worth the subscription to The Athletic, and if you aren’t reading him, you’re
missing out on a lot of valuable insight and information.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that brings us to the “official” media, so to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Vogel is, and has been without a doubt, one
of the most valuable elements in the constellation of Caps media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether writing game stories, background pieces
or “Skate Shavings” for WashingtonCaps.com, or partnering with John Walton on Caps
Report, his years of experience from the inside of the organization gives fans
an authentic and comprehensive look at what goes on inside the Caps machine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there is the in-game voice of the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes Johnson is just the best at what he
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From player intros that bring the fans
out of their seats to his announcement of goal scorers (“Alex
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-VECH-KIN” will ring in Caps fans’ ears long after
Ovechkin’s playing days are over) to unleashing the fury late in games, he
keeps Caps fans in the stands entertained and on the edge of their seats, and knows how to build the excitement as the game moves along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the best reason, other than the on-ice
action itself, to attend a Caps game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I have left anyone out, that’s on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just that Caps fans have so many riches
in the coverage of the team – before, during, and after games – that it is sometimes
difficult to keep all the possibilities and personalities straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theirs is a contribution that Caps fans
should never take for granted, either for the effort and dedication they bring
to their craft, or in the quality of their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bring the game to life, day after day,
and we appreciate what they do.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-25836831521569590732022-12-22T16:22:00.000-05:002022-12-22T16:22:17.560-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 36: Jets at Capitals, December 23<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals return from cold and snowy Ottawa to
cold and icy Washington on Friday to wrap up the pre-Christmas portion of the
2022-2023 schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Winnipeg Jets
will make their only visit to Washington to wrap up the two-game season series,
the Caps winners in Winnipeg on December 11<sup>th</sup> by a 5-2 margin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps went into Ottawa on Thursday night with a 10-3-1
record in their last 14 games since November 23<sup>rd</sup>, while the Jets
come to DC as winners of three of their last four games and a 10-4-0 record in
their last 14 games before taking on the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 5-2 loss to the Caps as part of that 10-4-0 run
notwithstanding, Winnipeg has been strong on both sides of the puck in their
recent success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets averaged 4.07
goals per game since Thanksgiving through Wednesday, the third-best scoring offense
in the league over that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets’
scoring defense has been almost as good, allowing only 2.43 goals per game, the
sixth-ranked scoring defense over that period.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Winnipeg offense has been the beneficiary of a very
efficient power play, the fifth-ranked team with the man advantage since their
14-game run started (31.7 percent). It might have been even more productive had
the Jets more opportunities, their 2.93 power play chances per game ranked 22<sup>nd</sup>
in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is noteworthy about
that power play is that only five players share the 13 power play goals scored
by Winnipeg over their last 14 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a group led by Mark Scheifele, who has four of those man advantage goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quite an improvement for Scheifele, who
had only two power play goals in his first 18 games this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is on a pace to finish with 15 power play
goals this season, which would be a career high (he had 12 power play goals in
82 games in 2018-2019).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Power play goals are not strangers to Scheifele, whose 66
career power play goals rank second on the all-time Winnipeg list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would seem unlikely, though, that he will
ever catch the leader, Ilya Kovalchuk, who had 115 power play goals for the
franchise when they played out of Atlanta as the Thrashers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been hot overall in the Jets’ 14-game
run, going 9-4-13, plus-4, over that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not surprising that his production should coincide with team
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scheifele has been a bellwether
for the club this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 13 games
in which he has goals, the Jets are 10-3-0; 14-3-0 in games in which he had
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg depends on his
offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scheifele is 8-6-14, plus-1, in
17 career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle Connor is the leading scorer overall for the Jets over
their 14-game run, going 9-13-22, plus-9, over that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might be winding up his production after a
slow start to the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had only
two goals over his first 14 games this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He broke out of that slump with a hat trick against Anaheim on November
17<sup>th</sup> that started a run of six goals in six games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After going without a goal in three games to
follow, he has seven goals in nine games going into Thursday’s action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he has only 15 goals in 32 games
to date, if he keeps up the pace he set over his last 18 games (13 goals), he
could top last year’s career high 47 goals and challenge the 50-goal mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Connor has been something of a homebody in his goal scoring
this season with ten in 17 games on home ice but only five in 15 games on the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even that is deceptive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He failed to record a goal in his first eight
road games this season, but he has five goals in his last seven road contests
(he has an eight-game road points streak going into Thursday’s game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His overall goal scoring as been timely,
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of Winnipeg’s 21 game-winning goals
this season, Connor has five of them to lead the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a feature of his goal scoring
profile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His next game-winner will be the
40<sup>th</sup> of his career, tying Ilya Kovalchuk for the all-time team lead
in that category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connor is 4-5-9,
minus-3, in 11 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is 32 years old. He does not score much (27 goals in 765
career regular season games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does
not put up a lot of points (only two seasons with more than 20 points in his 12
seasons in the NHL).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Brendan Dillon
seems to be doing something right in Winnipeg this season to average more than
20 minutes per game (20:08), the first time he averaged more than 20 minutes a
game since 2013-2014, when he averaged 21:06 per game with the Dallas
Stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, he has nine points in 32
games this season (all assists).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
a 23-point pace that would be a career high in points (he had 22 points in 2017-2018
and 2018-2019 with San Jose).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have
to figure, though, that a goal is coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Despite having a career high of just six goals in a season (2013-2014
with Dallas), he has never gone a full NHL season without scoring a goal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is in the grittier areas of the game in which Dillon
makes his contributions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg is
8-3-1 in the 12 games in which he has taken at least one penalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets are 17-5-1 in those games in which he
was credited with at least two hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are 10-3-0 when he recorded at least two blocked shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Od Dillon fact... The Jets are 7-1-0 in the
eight games in which he has points this season, the only loss coming in his
only multi-point game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had two
assists in a 6-5 loss to Vegas on December 13<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dillon is 2-2-4, minus-1, in 15 career games
against the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE4Q17i6DbHiVN5gPT4Dpag552up4IOiZLbHjqkiW3-V2Sy7u3ZeB8HNNXkXyU51VXfh9FZ6-di-6135L41Aq3Ap_3bdPrB5iS-CLDeZNGPzqR1CKQnlAGRjHXWb3DdRzsDlGfE3zaeiVRu0V5Ro1yZMi3QTk2n7WOwvNL2Y6n-q2pTnboQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE4Q17i6DbHiVN5gPT4Dpag552up4IOiZLbHjqkiW3-V2Sy7u3ZeB8HNNXkXyU51VXfh9FZ6-di-6135L41Aq3Ap_3bdPrB5iS-CLDeZNGPzqR1CKQnlAGRjHXWb3DdRzsDlGfE3zaeiVRu0V5Ro1yZMi3QTk2n7WOwvNL2Y6n-q2pTnboQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WPG.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets are
averaging just 27.3 shots per game on the road, the fifth-fewest in the league.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the Seattle
Kraken have a worse faceoff percentage in road games (41.4 percent) than the
Jets (42.8 percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg has
allowed only 14 goals in the third periods of road games this season, tied for
sixth-fewest in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other
hand, they scored only 14 third period goals in road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only five teams have scored fewer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets scored
first ten times in 15 road games through Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven of their nine road wins came when they
scored first in games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg averages
only 5.29 takeaways per 60 minutes on the road, third-fewest in the league.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJvViw7B5kIIc-YQmfiqMazCX7U0hBwvxx1Bd9N_2P2SSnZJZNY54ZxbHCY8VQcFJlW5PT18hFVB7YEbmceibmP33ESjOs1DUYYuU7hdZb4zwsO2HJSctyHjAVrZXQKVu-SExgKnmMLraUQLKeqouHENGksDobzBIje1v3Mo5S3J8HuFirQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJvViw7B5kIIc-YQmfiqMazCX7U0hBwvxx1Bd9N_2P2SSnZJZNY54ZxbHCY8VQcFJlW5PT18hFVB7YEbmceibmP33ESjOs1DUYYuU7hdZb4zwsO2HJSctyHjAVrZXQKVu-SExgKnmMLraUQLKeqouHENGksDobzBIje1v3Mo5S3J8HuFirQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milestone watch…
Evgeny Kuznetsov, with a power play goal, would tie Scott Stevens for 19<sup>th</sup>
place in team history in power play goals (Stevens had 46).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Kuznetsov scores
in overtime, he will tie Mike “Game Over” Green for third place in overtime
goals in Caps history (Green had eight).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If John Carlson
nets the game-winning goal, he ties Alexander Semin for tenth place all time in
game winners (Semin had 28).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With five shots on
goal, Alex Ovechkin will become the all-time league leader in shots on goal
(Ray Bourque: 6,209).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Ovechkin is
charged with five minutes in penalties, he ties Mike Gartner for eighth-most in
Caps history (Gartner had 770 minutes).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Winnipeg</b></span>: Pierre-Luc Dubois</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pierre-Luc Dubois has had an odd, V-shaped career to
date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started his NHL career as the
third overall pick (after Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine) in the 2016 Entry
Draft, taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He joined the club for the 2017-2018 season, posting 20 goals and 48
points in 82 games and finishing eighth in Calder Trophy voting as the top
rookie that season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He followed that up
with 27 goals and 61 points the following season, but his production slowly
declined year-by-year thereafter: 18-31-49 in 70 games in 2019-2020 and 9-12-21
in 46 games in 2020-2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He missed a
bit of time with COVID related issues over that timeframe, but his production
was not improving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, having played
in just five games to start the 2020-2021 season, with only one goal (his only
point) on his record, he was traded to Winnipeg with a third-round draft pick
in 2022 for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The move has been aggreable to Dubois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finished the 2020-2021 season 8-12-20 for
the Jets, but his production has been increasing since the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 28-32-60 in 81 games last season, and
he is already 15-22-37 in 32 games so far this season, tied for second on the
team in goals scored and third on the club in points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His six power play goals is tied for the team
lead, as are his 14 power play points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His 18.8 shooting percentage is second on the team among skaters
recording at least five shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has yet to go consecutive games this season without a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of particular relevance to this contest,
Dubois has points in four of his last five road games, all of which were multi-point
efforts (5-4-9).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The odd part about his goal scoring, though, is that while
he has goals in 13 games through Wednesday’s games, Winnipeg is just 7-6-0 in
those contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets are 17-7-0 in
the 24 games in which he recorded points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dubois is 3-4-7, minus-1, in 14 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Sonny Milano</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Answer to a trivia question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two Capitals are averaging more than a point per game on home ice this
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is Alex Ovechkin (1.13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, the other is Sonny Milano (1.10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Evgeny Kuznetsov has more even strength
points (11) than Milano (nine, tied with Ovechkin).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is shooting 23.1 percent on home ice,
second on the team to Nic Dowd (27.3 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He averages just 1.32 giveaways per 60 minutes on home ice, fourth-fewest
among forwards playing in at least ten home games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a plus-4 goal differential at even
strength on home ice, second-best among forwards (Kuznetsov: plus-7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milano has done all this while appearing in
only ten of the Caps’ 16 home games to date.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Milano made his Capitals debut on November 5<sup>th</sup>
with the team struggling with a 5-5-2 record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington lost to Arizona, 3-2, in his debut with the club, but since
then the Caps are 12-6-2 with him in the lineup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a distinct home-road split to his production, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the road, he has only three points in 11
games (all assists) and has a minus-7 rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At home, he is 3-8-11, plus-4, in ten games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of those points have come in his last
eight games at Capital One Arena.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ice time has been a good indicator of personal and team success
with respect to Milano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In ten games in
which he skated more than 13:30, he is 2-6-8, plus-4 (he does not have a minus
game), and the Caps are 8-1-1 in those contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 11 games in which he skated less than
13:30, he is 1-5-6, minus-7, and the Caps are 4-6-1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milano is 1-1-2, plus-1, in six career games
against Winnipeg.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is cliché to say that a win makes going into the holiday
break that much more joyful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this
game will have standings implications for the Caps, who are on the edge of
playoff-eligibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They handled
Winnipeg rather easily in their last meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This game will likely prove to be harder to manage to a victory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 4 – Jets 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-55834129043698314342022-12-21T13:33:00.003-05:002022-12-21T13:33:50.010-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 35: Capitals at Senators, December 22<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While Santa goes over his final checklist before loading up
the sleigh and setting off on his big trip, the Washington Capitals will be in
Ottawa to take on the Senators to complete the pre-Christmas portion of their
schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps head to Canada on a
10-3-1 run over their last 14 games, a stretch that has them on the edge of the
group of playoff-eligible teams in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the other side, the Senators’ season mirrors the Caps’ to
date in that they dug themselves an early hole (6-12-1 in their first 19 games)
but have slowly been climbing out of it since, posting an 8-4-1 record over
their last 13 contests.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Senators have turned things around largely because of
improved play on the defensive side of the puck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since allowing 3.58 goals per game in their
poor 19-game start, (28th in the league in scoring offense) they shaved almost
a full goal per game off their scoring defense in their last 13 games
(2.69/tenth in the league in scoring defense over that span).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You would think that the improvement was the product of a
reversal of fortune in goal, but not so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 19 games through November 24<sup>th</sup>, Cam Talbot and Anton
Forsberg shared almost all of the goaltending duties, although Talbot was lost
for the first month of the season with an upper-body injury and did not make
his debut until November 3<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The absence limited him to six starts and eight appearances in that
opening 19-game stretch over which he was 1-5-0, 2.83, .910.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not as if he was overwhelmed by a high
volume of shots faced, he averaged 31.2 shots faced per 60 minutes over his eight
appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the Thanksgiving
break, Talbot started ten games, but his underlying numbers have improved a
bit, at least in his goals against average 2.62) while his save percentage did
not budge (.910) He was rewarded more in the win column, going 7-3-0 in those
ten starts, but the difference was in shots faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those ten starts he averaged 29.1 shots
faced per 60 minutes, a 2.0 shots per 60 minutes reduction, which might not
seem like a lot, but that is what makes for the difference in goals against
average (0.21 lower goals against average).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 13 career games against the Caps, Talbot is 4-7-0, 2.62, .911.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, Forsberg has had two different seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the for 19 games of the season, he started
12 times with 13 appearances overall, going 4-7-1, 3.43, .904.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a period dominated by a five-game
losing streak (0-4-1) to end October and begin November over which he allowed
four or more goals four times and stopped just 170 of 190 shots overall (.895).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Thanksgiving, he started three
games, going 1-1-1, 2.60, .914.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big
difference in his before and after is in the volume of shots faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those first 13 appearances he faced 35.8
shots per 60 minutes, while over his last four appearances he faced only 30.3
shots per 60 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forsberg is 4-1-0,
3.07, .900 in six career appearances against the Capitals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ottawa has been a consistent team on offense this season, recording
a 3.05 goals per game scoring offense in their sluggish 19-game start and 3.06
goals per game in their last 13 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is quite a difference, however, on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over those first 19 games the Senators
recorded an impressive 3.64 goals per game, the eighth-ranked scoring offense
at home at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over their last 13
games, that output dropped to 2.80 goals per game, tied for 19<sup>th</sup> in
the league over that span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One big difference in the home ice offensive output over
those last 13 games has been that of Brady Tkachuk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first 11 home games before Thanksgiving,
he was 5-10-15, averaging 1.36 points per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In five home games since the holiday, he is 2-1-3, averaging 0.60 points
per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five games is a small sample
of his season, especially when he is having his first season of his career in
which he is averaging more than a point per game overall (13-23-36 in 32
games/1.13 points per game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tkachuk is known
as something of an ornery player (to his fans), perhaps too often playing on the
other side of the rules and good sportsmanship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leave it that he’s never going to be a Lady Byng Trophy finalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal">But being feisty has not exactly been rewarded
with marks in the win column.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tkachuk as
taken at least one penalty in 14 games this season, and while that feature of
his game corresponds to personal success (points in 11 of those games and
7-11-18 overall), the Senators are just 6-7-1 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hardly a departure from his usual style
of play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since coming into the league in
2018-2019, he has complied the third highest number of penalty minutes (412),
trailing only the Caps’ Tom Wilson (415), and Los Angeles’ Brendan Lemieux
(417).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in goal scoring in which
his positive performance is tied to good fortune for the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has goals in 11 games this season, Ottawa
with a 9-2-0 record in those contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tkachuk is 1-6-7, minus-1, in nine career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If one thinks of offensive defensemen in the NHL, the names
that might spring to mind include Cale Makar, Roman Josi, and even the Caps’
John Carlson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes it easy to
overlook Thomas Chabot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But since his
first full NHL season in 2017-2018, Chabot has 49 goals and 206 points in 339
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is 0.61 points per game, as
many over the same period as Seth Jones and Dougie Hamilton; and more than
Aaron Ekblad (0.60), Charlie McAvoy (0.59), and Mark Giordano (0.55).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chabot is not an elite scorer from the blue
line, but he is a consistent one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
he had a career year in 2018-2019 (14-41-55 in 70 games) with Ottawa, over the last
three seasons he settled into the mid-30’s in points per season (108 points in
179 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with 18 points in
27 games he is on a pace to challenge the 50-point threshold once more. He
comes into this game on a roll, going 5-8-13 in his last 14 games overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chabot is 2-5-7, minus-4, in ten career games
against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGgkCQ2nN7FA8OcXpL0mc-YKHC5s9CG3inxz56cScD2CEPg_xFGCHnEJrn-mD8zU90BN2CXK6k-DzFuAOnfwTS9DTTNj03rwbhN_Fg112gzrVeKqwL5_brZVKNRtZCSsJDAkBp2MyDrqE9f-FyLC10EBmlLInvbCHgEx9728FQOm5cYY2CA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20OTT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGgkCQ2nN7FA8OcXpL0mc-YKHC5s9CG3inxz56cScD2CEPg_xFGCHnEJrn-mD8zU90BN2CXK6k-DzFuAOnfwTS9DTTNj03rwbhN_Fg112gzrVeKqwL5_brZVKNRtZCSsJDAkBp2MyDrqE9f-FyLC10EBmlLInvbCHgEx9728FQOm5cYY2CA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20OTT.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ottawa is one of
seven teams to average more than 3.00 goals scored (3.38) and more than 3.00
goals allowed (3.13) per game on home ice this season.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Senators are a
top-ten team at home on power plays (26.5 percent/tenth in the league) and a
bottom-ten team killing penalties on home ice (76.3 percent/25<sup>th</sup>)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Florida and
Pittsburgh average more shots on goal per game on home ice (37.3 and 36.0,
respectively) than Ottawa (35.6).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 16 games on
home ice this season, the Sens have one one-goal win (3-2 in their last home game,
over Montreal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team has fewer (tied
with Buffalo). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
symmetry to scoring first at home for the Senators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 16 home games, they scored first eight
times and trailed first eight times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
are 5-3-0 when scoring first (.625 winning percentage), 3-5-0 when trailing first
(.375) for an 8-8-0 overall record.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg17hhrgJXz2W34OCp1A6xzI277r4Uih8bdW_hdB3M4OSAds30cP3uAb6ak5kJxUeLpIvXaz06jWXlXHWQm-vk7dUIb2tBUaDShofEIEEmkflZ9po7yaDyd5dFxrxNRymehwRr46aAduBO5xxpgAM0AEjqwseptsQzx04gU_FzIs4samjPTg/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg17hhrgJXz2W34OCp1A6xzI277r4Uih8bdW_hdB3M4OSAds30cP3uAb6ak5kJxUeLpIvXaz06jWXlXHWQm-vk7dUIb2tBUaDShofEIEEmkflZ9po7yaDyd5dFxrxNRymehwRr46aAduBO5xxpgAM0AEjqwseptsQzx04gU_FzIs4samjPTg/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over their recent
10-3-1 run, the Caps scored first seven times and were scored upon first seven
times. It hardly mattered – 5-1-1 when scoring first, 5-2-0 when trailing first,
a .714 winning percentage in each instance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over the same span, only the Pittsburgh Penguins and Caps have winning
percentages over .700 when scoring first and trailing first (the Pens are 5-0-1
when scoring first/.833 and 5-2-0 when trailing first/.714).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps put
together that record without having the benefit of many power plays. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their 2.79 power play chances per game over
that stretch rank 28<sup>th</sup> in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the power play
has not had many chances for the Caps, neither have opponents had many man
advantages against the Caps, who gave up 2.57 power plan chances per game over
that span (tied for fifth-fewest in the league with Vegas).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of their ten wins over
their last 14 games, the Caps won seven by three or more goals, tied with
Winnipeg and Tampa Bay for most in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have
finished strong in those last 14 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have a plus-2 goal differential in the first periods of those
games, but they are plus-8 in the second periods and plus-6 in the third periods
of those games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Ottawa</b></span>: Alex DeBrincat</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since he came into the league as a second-round draft pick
of the Chicago Blackhawks (39<sup>th</sup> overall in 2016), he has more goals
scored than Mikko (Rantanen: 166), Mika (Zibanejad: 166), and Mark (Scheifele:
159), and more goals than Brad (Marchand: 168), Brayden (Point: 165), and Bo
(Horvat: 143).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex DeBrincat’s 169
goals scored rank tenth in the league since 2017-2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twice he posted more than 40 goals in a season
(41 in each of the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons), one of eight players to
post two or more 40-goal seasons over the five years preceding this one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So why would the Blackhawks trade a 24-year old player who
was among the most effective goal scorers in the league for essentially futures
(a first-round draft pick in 2022, a second-round draft pick in 2022, and a
fourth-round draft pick in 2023)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chicago had the sixth-worst record in the league last season, so perhaps
they were engaging in <a href="https://theathletic.com/3407117/2022/07/07/alex-debrincat-trade-blackhawks-senators/">a preemptive tank of the 2022-2023 season</a> to secure a
higher spot, perhaps the top spot, in a highly regarded 2023 entry draft.
If that was the aim, they are succeeding, if it could be called that, the Blackhawks
holding the worst record in the league at the moment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, DeBrincat is doing his thing in Ottawa, just not
quite as frequently yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 32 games he
has nine goals, his 8.0 shooting percentage well under his career 14.7 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has not been a matter of venue; DeBrincat
has five goals on 63 shots (7.9 percent) on home ice, and he has four goals on
50 shots (8.0 percent) on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is not a matter of his getting power play ice time pared back; his 4:26 in power
play ice time per game is the most of his career (he had 3:49 per game with
Chicago in 2020-2021).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power play
does bear a closer look, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
five power play goals to date, and his shooting percentage on the man advantage
is the first time in six seasons he has been under 20 percent shooting on power
plays, but it is his assists that are noteworthy here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has 14 assists on power plays so far this
season, which ties his career high in just 32 games (he had 14 in 82 games with
Chicago last season).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DeBrincat comes
into this game 4-13-17, minus-4, in his last 13 games overall, and he brings a
four-game points streak on home ice (2-5-7, even).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In eight career games against the Caps, he is
6-4-10, plus-1.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Trevor van Riemsdyk</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trevor van Rimesdyk might be a defensemen with modest
offensive numbers, but he did set a career high in points last season
(17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season, he is on a pace to
top that, not to mention obliterate his career high in goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His four goals in 34 games is just one short
of the five he recorded with Chicago in 2016-2017, and he is on a pace to
finish this season with a 10-10-20 scoring line.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Three of those four goals to date have come in the recent
10-3-1 run the Caps have put together, and he did it on just 11 shots on
goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Erik Gustafsson has more goals
among Caps defensemen (four) than van Riemsdyk since the 10-3-1 run started.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But it is not just the scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Caps defenseman has more takeaways over
those 14 games than van Riemsdyk (six, tied with Gustafsson), and he is one of
three defensemen with at least 20 blocked shots over that period despite averaging
just 17:47 in ice time per game, sixth among the nine defensemen to skat for
the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And about the ice time, he leads
all Caps defensemen in shorthanded ice time per game over this stretch,
averaging 2:22 per game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the road this season, van Riemsdyk has modest sconing
numbers – two goals and four points, but you might say he pick his spots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has only 11 shots on goal in 18 road games,
but that makes his 18.2 shooting percentage best among Caps defensemen on the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is anything that smudges
his recent performance a bit, it is that he is the only skater with a
minus-goal differential at even strength over the 10-3-1 run (minus-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Van Riemsdyk is 0-3-3, plus-3, in 17 career
games against Ottawa.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If things go right on Thursday – a Caps win and a New York
Islander loss of any kind – Washington will find themselves in the second wild-card
spot in the Eastern Conference, a spot fans might not though possible a month
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says something about the veteran
makeup of this team and its resolve as it heads into Game 35 of the
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 4 – Senators 3</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-61098134870451034912022-12-18T18:37:00.002-05:002022-12-21T13:34:01.197-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 34: Red Wings at Capitals, December 19<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals conclude a three-game home stand on
Monday night when the Detroit Red Wings come to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teams go into this game headed in
opposite directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington is 6-1-0
over their last seven games and have climbed to within one point of a wild-card
position in the standings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other
side, Detroit, which started the season with a 13-7-5 record in their first 25
games, comes limping into Washington with a five-game losing streak.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Detroit has been outscored, 19-7, over their five-game
losing streak, allowing four or more goals in three of those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the offensive side, they were shut out once
in the five games and scored once in two other contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a team whose wagon wheels have gotten
wobbly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Detroit has goal scoring balance this season – 22 of 26
skaters to play so far have at least one goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they lack a dominant, go-to goal scorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik are tied for
the team lead with ten goals apiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Larkin has seemed to be a player ready to break through into the upper echelon
of scoring forwards for a few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
posted 32 goals in 76 games in 2018-2019, and he had 31 goals in 71 games last
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just has not been able to get
that final push into the conversation of who are the dominant goal scorers in
the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year appears to be one in which he is headed to the “almost
there” category once more. With ten goals in 29 games, he is on a pace to
finish with 28 goals this season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be the third season in eight in which he topped 25 goals, but he remains
something just short of being the dominating scorer the Wings do not have at
the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been more efficient
on the road so far, though, posting six goals on 39 shots (15.4 percent shooting)
in 13 road games (four goals on 57 shots in 16 games – 7.0 percent – at home).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been in an overall slump, though, with
one goal in his last ten games despite recording 34 shots (2.9 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oddly enough, though, it is his assists that
more closely track with winning than his goal scoring to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Detroit is 5-3-2 in games in which he
has goals, the Red Wings are 9-3-1 in games in which he has assists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Larkin, who comes into this game nursing a hand
injury and, after skating in a non-contact jersey in Friday’s practice, making
his availability uncertain, is 4-7-11, even, in 17 career games against
Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kubalik has to be thought of as a surprise to tie for the team
lead in goals and is quite the overachiever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a seventh round (191<sup>st</sup> overall) pick of the Los Angeles
Kings in the 2013 Entry Draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never
played for the Kings, traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in January 2019 for a
2019 fifth-round draft pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He played
three seasons for the Blackhawks, where he immediately showed promise as a goal
scorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 202 games with the Blackhawks
he recorded 62 goals, a 25-goal pace per 82 games, including 30 in 68 games as
a rookie in 2019-2020 when he finished third in Calder Trophy voting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not enough for the Blackhawks to tender
a qualifying offer to retain his services, allowing him to leave as a free agent,
whereupon he was signed by the Red Wings last July to a two-year/$5.0 million
contract.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, Kubalik is on a pace to finish with 27 goals,
which would be his highest total since his rookie season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He already has five power play goals this
season, a career high, and with seven power play assists he is closing in on
his career high in that category as well (ten in 2020-2021).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is getting more ice time with Detroit (16:29
per game) after recording diminishing per game ice time over his three years in
Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is in a slump, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his last 12 games he has one goal and
five points while posting a minus-9 rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He comes into this game without a point in his last three road
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kubalik is 2-2-4, minus-2, in
four career games against the Capitals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the Red Wings on a five-game losing streak and having
given up 19 goals in the process, the spotlight gets turned on
goaltending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Nedeljkovic got one of
the starts in that stretch, and he allowed five goals on 41 shots in a 5-1 loss
to Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magnus Hellberg got a start
and allowed three goals on 21 shots in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Ville Husso who got the biggest share
of the workload, getting three starts, going 0-2-1, 2.97, .897.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Husso, it is hitting a wall after a good
start to the season over which he was 11-4-3, 2.54, .916, with three shutouts
in 18 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only once in that span did
he lose consecutive games in regulation and did not lose more than two in a
row, and once lost three consecutive games (0-1-2 from November 8 – 15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Workload has been a bit of an issue with
Husso, but this is primarily a product of his playing in four extra time games
(all of which he lost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 11 games
facing 30 or more shots, he is 5-2-4, while in ten games facing fewer than 30 shots,
he is 6-4-0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he gets the nod, and
Detroit can keep things to regulation, it might be a good evening for them,
given his 11-6 record in games ending in 60 minutes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In three career appearances against the Caps,
he is 3-0-0, 1.34, .951.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnYoAXmFnF3BdVbvcTrfeZeQif3GXQyp2RjojRIw4GcIuofriwALvVhEqf8SNekoQ50aJBReHpfaYmAm9webx9pFQAgOs8hB5y9AZidId27VefLT1s7W_HPgWmEEYlFx9uiBobnuUPQK6XhOh1HwDBhKFRXgK7rq9WHIely2WazGYb8gReA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20DET.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnYoAXmFnF3BdVbvcTrfeZeQif3GXQyp2RjojRIw4GcIuofriwALvVhEqf8SNekoQ50aJBReHpfaYmAm9webx9pFQAgOs8hB5y9AZidId27VefLT1s7W_HPgWmEEYlFx9uiBobnuUPQK6XhOh1HwDBhKFRXgK7rq9WHIely2WazGYb8gReA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20DET.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From November 17<sup>th</sup>
through December 6<sup>th</sup>, the Red Wings went 4-0 on the road and outscored
their opponents by a 21-9 margin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
then, they are 0-2-1 on the road and have been outscored, 12-4.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No Red Wing has a multi-goal game in December. The last Red
Wing to record a multi-goal game was Oskar Sundqvist, who had a pair of goals
in a 5-4 Gimmick loss to the Buffalo Sabres on November 30<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Detroit is one of
those teams who have been weak on both sides of special teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their 19.8 percent power play (24<sup>th</sup>
in the league) plus their 76.4 percent penalty kill (22<sup>nd</sup>) add up to
the 22<sup>nd</sup>-ranked team in special teams index (96.2 percent). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Red Wings are
tied for 25<sup>th</sup> in the league in road scoring defense 93.50 goals
allowed per game).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 26 skaters to
play for the Wings this season, 16 have minus ratings; only eight have plus
ratings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Detroit has only
one one-goal win on the road this season, a 3-2 overtime win over the New York
Rangers on November 6<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10FmJF7qQ0Qku3TyooD5-wKjPVTKo6MaXmVE-LbTZwkmKOuEm_3D_49zj_lUF__0miW-GUI78f19E5A9TIsnDjwSqLx_nC1AQhQwBSp_erETl44U9qLN-q8ajMAaf5eu-bu_ONRCdSqpwoP7atu0rmwji28ZwGlRpH9FRouKCehk-wiMWQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS10FmJF7qQ0Qku3TyooD5-wKjPVTKo6MaXmVE-LbTZwkmKOuEm_3D_49zj_lUF__0miW-GUI78f19E5A9TIsnDjwSqLx_nC1AQhQwBSp_erETl44U9qLN-q8ajMAaf5eu-bu_ONRCdSqpwoP7atu0rmwji28ZwGlRpH9FRouKCehk-wiMWQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have four
one-goal wins this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only four
teams have fewer – Columbus, Dallas, Detroit (three each), and Buffalo (two).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the other end,
the Caps have ten wins by three or more goals, tied for third most in the
league (Dallas has 12, Buffalo has 11). </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington needs
to do a better job when scoring first in games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their 9-4-2 record is tied for 22<sup>nd</sup> in winning percentage
(.600).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High shot volumes
have not translated into wins for the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are 4-5-1 in the ten games in which they posted 35 or more shots on
goal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side,
high shot volumes allowed has mattered, the Caps going 2-5-1 when allowing 35
or more shots on goal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Detroit</b></span>: Jakub Vrana</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Washington Capitals drafted Jakub Vrana with the 13<sup>th</sup>
overall pick of the 2013 Entry Draft, they might have been looking ahead to the
day when he would become the designated sniper, a player with speed, good hands,
and a lethal shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four-plus seasons
with the Caps he posted 76 goals in 284 games (a 22-goal pace per 82 games),
topped by a 25-goal season in 2019-2020, his last full season in
Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following season his
progress stalled with 11 goals in 39 games before he was traded with a second-round
draft pick in 2022, a first-round draft pick in 2021, and Richard Panik to the
Detroit Red Wings for Anthony Mantha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since moving to Motown, his on-ice performance has been uneven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he was in the lineup to finish the
2020-2021 season and then in his first full season with the Red Wings, he
recorded 21 goals in 37 games, a 47-goal pace over 82 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the key there is “37 games.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He missed 56 games last season to a shoulder
injury, but he answered the bell to start this season, posting a goal and an assist
in his first two games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then came
the news on October 19<sup>th</sup> that he was entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance
program for an “indefinite period.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vrana has been inactive since his admission to the program,
but he was cleared to enter the follow-up care part of the program and rejoined
the team on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is eligible to play, although he has been practicing
in a non-contact jersey as the team eases him back into on-ice competition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be a long shot that he plays against
Washington, and it might be that Detroit would like to give him more time to
get back to playing shape, but a member of the Stanley Cup winning club of 2018,
even a former Capital, is always welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Vrana has yet to face the Caps in his career.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Marcus Johansson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In his first tour with the Washington Capitals, covering the
first seven seasons of his career, Marcus Johansson’s role was to provide some
offensive pop and play a variety of forward spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had five 40-plus point seasons in that span,
fulfilling his role as a “1-A” level scorer – not necessarily a “go-to” scorer,
but one on which the team depended on for success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In his second tour with the Caps, Johansson, now a 32-year old/13-year
veteran of the NHL, is more the knowledgeable pro who has seen a lot of on-ice
situations with a lot of teams (six) over a lot of games (786 regular season
games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not likely at this point
to be the 40-plus point scorer he was in his youth; he is more the veteran who
can play any position on any of the first three lines and contribute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And he has done just that, to a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has seven goals – singles in seven games –
and the Caps are 4-2-1 in those contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, in 13 games in which he has points, Washington is 6-5-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the Caps are 5-1-1 in
those games in which he logged more than 18 minutes of ice time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an odd symmetry to his game this
season, going 5-2-7 in 15 home games and 2-5-7 in 18 road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been a surprisingly effective scorer
at home on the power play, where all three of his man advantage strikes have
been recorded this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His point production
has edged up a bit recently to almost half a point per game over his last 11
contests (2-3-5, minus-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is
an odd feature to his recent scoring, it is that he has five goals in his last 12
home games, but he does not have an assist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, he has assists in only one of 15 home games, a pair of helpers
on October 17<sup>th</sup> in a 6-4 win over Vancouver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Johansson is 4-10-14, plus-6, in 27 career
games against Detroit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has the potential to be a “trap” game, one in which the
Caps might take lightly an opponent they are facing in the last game of a home
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the fact that the Red
Wings did a good job of shutting the Caps down, holding them to a single game-opening
goal by Alex Ovechkin before coming back with three of their own in a 3-1 win in
Detroit on November 3<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
again, these are teams headed in opposite directions at the moment, and when
the final horn sound, the distance between them will have only widened.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 5 – Red Wings 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-86682964912175202602022-12-18T15:30:00.000-05:002022-12-18T15:30:32.918-05:00Washington Capitals: That Was The Week That Was - Week 10<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqpWZkQhs2XPS_bV97ta93VROFtCb-_r2-v3V2cnzw4eMchshVrg1N6S-sMf5tMSpEBkXFgrg_SsxHByolg8HFgdO_XwgMpPxxqDV3HNfT1BSn7A7hGxNGZazx9MZUuXUkWlKJUZ8ARpoZ02bIbGEwfDL5PGmXwk_k3cHcuouC0xiBT03LQ/s124/TWTWTW%20win.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="62" data-original-width="124" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqpWZkQhs2XPS_bV97ta93VROFtCb-_r2-v3V2cnzw4eMchshVrg1N6S-sMf5tMSpEBkXFgrg_SsxHByolg8HFgdO_XwgMpPxxqDV3HNfT1BSn7A7hGxNGZazx9MZUuXUkWlKJUZ8ARpoZ02bIbGEwfDL5PGmXwk_k3cHcuouC0xiBT03LQ/s1600/TWTWTW%20win.gif" width="124" /></a></div>The Washington Capitals had a good week, a good week
indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three wins and a one-goal
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brought them to the brink of
playoff eligibility in Week 10, and given the injury situation, things could
have been much worse for this club at week’s end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been a resilient bunch, and now one
with some wind in their sails moving forward.
<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnMlEK6fVFk6P2qQhbniumAbPsu60_uN8luGoPJs8KcEzzIY027g43DW7x9T5sG_UH5gt-_68iLBUp8oXtfAN2YIUjmdMIawKwbJAvQmdy6ppCR0u4MMZwGEI0wPjeT7z0mXthMuLKdGfuJpDhahEhjupypdiH6E9vebbUm2M0Oyk2tqf9w/s539/summary%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="539" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnMlEK6fVFk6P2qQhbniumAbPsu60_uN8luGoPJs8KcEzzIY027g43DW7x9T5sG_UH5gt-_68iLBUp8oXtfAN2YIUjmdMIawKwbJAvQmdy6ppCR0u4MMZwGEI0wPjeT7z0mXthMuLKdGfuJpDhahEhjupypdiH6E9vebbUm2M0Oyk2tqf9w/w400-h234/summary%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Record (3-1-0)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A second straight three-win week and their first set of
consecutive winning weeks since Weeks 2-3 earlier in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first two three-win weeks of the season,
in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It extends a longer run of good
fortune for the team; since November 23<sup>rd</sup>, the Caps are 9-3-1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team has earned more standings points (19,
tied with Pittsburgh and Toronto), and their .731 points percentage ranks
sixth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This despite playing eight of their
13 games in this stretch on the road, where they were 5-2-1.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And not only have the Caps won, they won in dominating
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven of their nine wins in this
13-game stretch were by three or more goals, tied with Tampa Bay for most in
the league over that period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
those two losses of the three in regulation by three or more goals, but on
balance, Caps fans will take that trade-off.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDupQQw_r67v3K18UPj7A_Tzr-pIr4c2ZxkfxeLsmvF6iszR8R1L1FhEJ_npMAeOBSd_PcovRWmVvsj3Rd9tGKnmcX44py04y2_T8vtLFBKDfCyecE9tEuS79URGC-CigVZf071mtbr65ciLIFJIc30tm7zFV7qTgzoA_nO1uoiSopCq-0Ug/s407/record%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="407" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDupQQw_r67v3K18UPj7A_Tzr-pIr4c2ZxkfxeLsmvF6iszR8R1L1FhEJ_npMAeOBSd_PcovRWmVvsj3Rd9tGKnmcX44py04y2_T8vtLFBKDfCyecE9tEuS79URGC-CigVZf071mtbr65ciLIFJIc30tm7zFV7qTgzoA_nO1uoiSopCq-0Ug/w400-h291/record%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Offense: 4.50 /game (season: 3.03 / 21st)</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eighteen goals for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite the production for the Caps, who went from 27<sup>th</sup> in the league
in scoring offense (2.83 goals per game) at the start of the week to 21<sup>st</sup>
in the league (3.03 goals per game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eleven different Capitals had goals, led by Alex Ovechkin, who had four,
including a hat trick against Chicago to bring him to 800 career goals, the
third player in NHL history to reach that milestone. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The surprise, however, was who were the runners-up in goals
scored for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defenseman Trevor
van Riemsdyk had three, getting single goals in three of the four games for the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had only one goal for the
season coming into Week 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other
three-goal scorer was defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who had a hat trick in the 5-2
win over Toronto to end the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
the first hat trick of his career and only the second multi-goal game of his
career (February 2, 2018 versus Minnesota).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the third hat trick by a defenseman in Caps history, the other
two by Kevin Hatcher (January 13, 1993 versus the New York Rangers in a 5-4
loss), and Sergei Gonchar (January 4, 2000 in a 6-1 win over Montreal).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seventeen of the 20 skaters to dress for the Caps in Week 10
posted points, led by Ovechkin with six (4-2-6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four other Caps had four points apiece –
Sonny Milano (0-4-4), Conor Sheary (1-3-4), Anthony Mantha (1-3-4), and Evgeny
Kuznetsov (1-3-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In an unusual area,
the Caps had four skaters finish the week with ten or more shots on goal –
Dmitry Orlov and Ovechkin leading the team with 15 apiece, John Carlson with
13, and T.J. Oshie, who left the contest against Toronto early with an injury,
with 11.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Defense: 2.25 / game (season: 2.85 / 12th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a solid week for the defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They allowed 123 shots on goal for the week, the
30.8 shots allowed per game just a tick over their season average (30.7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 36 shots they allowed Toronto to end the
week was the first time in seven games they allowed more than 35 shots and only
the second time in their last 15 games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What the Caps did not do well against Toronto was limit shot
attempts at 5-on-5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps were just
39.4 percent in that game, but teams generally do not do well in this area
against the Maple Leafs, who lead the league in shot attempts-for percentage at
5-on-5 (60.9 percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goaltending: 2.28 / .926 (season: 2.62 / .914 / 2 shutouts)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once more, it was The Charlie Lindgren Show, and he did not
disappoint as Darcy Kuemper continue to recover from his recent injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lindgren has not only been excellent in his
relief of Kuemper, he has been consistent (with one exception, which we will
get to).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In six of his last seven
appearances he posted save percentages over .900, five times over .930, including
.944 against Toronto when he faced 36 shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was the highest shot total he faced in a game since facing 38 shots
in a 6-3 win against New Jersey in his second game of the season back on
October 24<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lindgren was excellent in the first 40 minutes of games,
posting a .957 in the opening periods of the four games (44 saves on 46 shots)
and .953 in the middle periods (41 saves on 43 shots).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he was 28 for 33 (.848) in the third
periods of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of that might be
score effects and low shot volumes (he faced more than ten third period shots
just once), but the two goals allowed on seven shots against Dallas were the blemish
on what might have been a perfect week in the win column.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Power Play: 2-for-7 / 28.6 percent (season: 21.8 percent / 17th)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Week 10 was an illustration of the difference between
efficiency and effectiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 28.6
percent power play is efficient – only four teams in the league finished the
week with a season percentage over that mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But seven power play chances is not that effective in adding to the
offensive output (yes, we might be greedy, given the Caps averaged 4.50 goals
per game for the week).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin recorded the man
advantage goals for the Caps, and five different Caps had power play points for
the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking to the depth here,
Sonny Milano and Conor Sheary were two of the other three players posting power
play points (each with an assist).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
Carlson had the other point (an assist).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps it was a reflection of teams paying more attention
to Ovechkin in the left wing circle, but it was Kuznetsov who led the team in
power play shots for the week (four).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ovechkin was on ice for 12:31 of power play ice time for the week, 99.2
percent of the Caps’ total.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs8UE02TRHnCutAxxGQSPoMAJpMJpmQPkDXA8bY7l9mHt1u73WcWiqZDoLNGj2Q-XTwqnT0z-wAw6FJjp8qpgp1W5Av8CYJPkb_26WMbJRQxDALtLCQTTkoNpRHjX_KRtkuhYg0ek5FVyb4oOPMn6Yk2iBosAHKrseQj3CJNDjF-2ti5BHQ/s408/PP%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="408" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYs8UE02TRHnCutAxxGQSPoMAJpMJpmQPkDXA8bY7l9mHt1u73WcWiqZDoLNGj2Q-XTwqnT0z-wAw6FJjp8qpgp1W5Av8CYJPkb_26WMbJRQxDALtLCQTTkoNpRHjX_KRtkuhYg0ek5FVyb4oOPMn6Yk2iBosAHKrseQj3CJNDjF-2ti5BHQ/w400-h323/PP%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Penalty Killing 8-for-10 / 80.0 percent (season: 80.7 percent
/ 9th)</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a good, if not great week for the Caps on the penalty
kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That they allowed only 2.50
chances per game for the week (they are averaging 2.82 chances against per game
for the season/fourth fewest in the league) might have been the best aspect of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dmitry Orlov and John Carlson were on ice for both power
play goals scored against the Caps, which was a bit of a surprise, since they
finished third and fourth, respectively, among defensemen in shorthanded ice
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the other end, the leaders in
shorthanded ice time, Trevor van Riemsdyk (2:25) and Nick Jensen (2:21) had a clean
sheet on power play goals against.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf9-b0ELFEzu-enxalVRtHZ06z47jeJeFqhJ9fgJU9VYCKFZASsGZkNy5YBmB9jMgGeNCdnMfuiDqZpE8VuRnAC6ZHZcYNpvvvmhB0g2vp4UsLKoXKrFsJVAp5zVpW-BJfqLl0kineN6E_8p6qp_LEVfKZZ6Yr6hHyIla93_RCjfVKn5RPw/s408/PK%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="408" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf9-b0ELFEzu-enxalVRtHZ06z47jeJeFqhJ9fgJU9VYCKFZASsGZkNy5YBmB9jMgGeNCdnMfuiDqZpE8VuRnAC6ZHZcYNpvvvmhB0g2vp4UsLKoXKrFsJVAp5zVpW-BJfqLl0kineN6E_8p6qp_LEVfKZZ6Yr6hHyIla93_RCjfVKn5RPw/w400-h323/PK%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Faceoffs: 94-for-200 / 47.0 percent (season: 48.4 percent / 23rd)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was, by season standards, an average week for the Caps,
who had been improving in this area in recent weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a week played close to the break even
point in all three zones, the Caps being three faceoff wins under 50 percent in
the offensive an neutral zones, and right at 50.0 percent in the defensive end.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps had a bit of a tilt to the
defensive end, where they took 72 faceoffs compared to 64 in the offensive end.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On an individual level, Evgeny Kuznetsov deserves mention
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was under 50 percent for the
week (17-for-36/47.2 percent), but since he went a ghastly 1-for-11 (9.1
percent) against Calgary on November 25<sup>th</sup> (tied for the third-lowest
winning percentage in a game this season for any skater taking at least ten
faceoffs), he is 64-for-116, a 55.2 winning percentage, and has been over 50
percent in eight of 11 games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Among other individual skaters in Week 11, Lars Eller and
Nic Dowd were the skaters taking ten or more draws to finish over 50
percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good part among the four
Caps to take at least ten total faceoffs was that three of the four finished
over 50 percent in the defensive end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flip side of that, however, was Dylan
Strome going 1-for-6 (16.7 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39MlYfH04KvaRkALrNj36_4bWyLVxO9IFv3gJYl4S6tx7PQUOhCPyPJh_LvTV4seQKM1rXM2kUoHkDo7uxYDCQLBW8wGPU6K4xglHAqvSfMtk8BtkiCBSQ8MlCTFuvkIuLsMNmdZqsAEiKpTNe_4zIdcSK2BtiJqM2_9O7mFR6Ur-Abv7ig/s624/faceoffs%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="624" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39MlYfH04KvaRkALrNj36_4bWyLVxO9IFv3gJYl4S6tx7PQUOhCPyPJh_LvTV4seQKM1rXM2kUoHkDo7uxYDCQLBW8wGPU6K4xglHAqvSfMtk8BtkiCBSQ8MlCTFuvkIuLsMNmdZqsAEiKpTNe_4zIdcSK2BtiJqM2_9O7mFR6Ur-Abv7ig/w400-h164/faceoffs%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Goals by Period</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the positive takeaways from the week was the Caps
having positive goal differentials in each of the regulation periods for the
week – plus-2 in the first periods of games, plus-6 in the second period, and
plus-1 in the third period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the
kind of consistency that speaks to a solid full-game effort, although the third
periods might have been better, and will be important to the team going forward
in the weeks ahead.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbSguzVfdPMUAgrZTLeq12LMiZ65kOlzyXco9YS3c16DbXP1SVgxLlpgOSjJiB1hVL8IdiPVYrGgXI3_6pOFXe_JAp-f7NtZtrfV9FslEXD1mVern5_j6qdQwVvM_NFDzMcPvJ6xVjhFfw3UoiB69qAWt2QZsycCF-BCOtTLH9GA3tbUi1w/s405/goals%20by%20period%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="405" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbSguzVfdPMUAgrZTLeq12LMiZ65kOlzyXco9YS3c16DbXP1SVgxLlpgOSjJiB1hVL8IdiPVYrGgXI3_6pOFXe_JAp-f7NtZtrfV9FslEXD1mVern5_j6qdQwVvM_NFDzMcPvJ6xVjhFfw3UoiB69qAWt2QZsycCF-BCOtTLH9GA3tbUi1w/w400-h209/goals%20by%20period%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Year-over-Year</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps of this season are not close to last year’s in
win-loss performance, but that is hardly a surprise given the injuries with
which they started the year and that they have had to contend with in-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The club does have a positive overall goal
differential, although they remain a net-24 behind last year’s pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Special teams have been a two-edged sword,
power play chances up significantly, but so are penalty killing situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What bears watching is something that looks
like a “scoring” effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hits, blocked
shots, giveaways, and takeaways – all are up significantly this season over
last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the somewhat arbitrary
nature of what constitutes an event in these categories, one does wonder if it
isn’t more the eye of the scorer than objective increases in these areas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4pI_v1jGalg2a-0syQi6Y7oOePplD7eGyRnlXHC24d8woZmtmSv4yQ-pzhRy9CiPFGoMSdSGN90ao9gvjN6ufOSlq118TyDvCoNYTpt1xl6fMAfVS-k08pX9hnnxOQxgRcKB-qUzY9COr-lXGPnVavSPREcdDYCVmGp3E5AC8Zxc-VQXRw/s674/YoY%2010.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="674" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4pI_v1jGalg2a-0syQi6Y7oOePplD7eGyRnlXHC24d8woZmtmSv4yQ-pzhRy9CiPFGoMSdSGN90ao9gvjN6ufOSlq118TyDvCoNYTpt1xl6fMAfVS-k08pX9hnnxOQxgRcKB-qUzY9COr-lXGPnVavSPREcdDYCVmGp3E5AC8Zxc-VQXRw/w400-h210/YoY%2010.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>In the end…</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">That Caps are through Week 10 with the record they have,
hanging close to the playoff mix, is laudable, given that they finished the week
with only nine players having appeared in every game this season and their number
one goalie on the bench with an injury for the last two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be tested in the week ahead,
though, depending on how serious the injury to T.J. Oshie is and how long it
will keep him out of the lineup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this team has responded to adversity with resolve, something that they will have
to sustain to make the jump into the playoff-eligible group of teams as the year
winds down.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Three Stars</b></p>
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>First Star</u>: Alex Ovechkin (4-2-6, plus-3, 29<sup>th</sup>
career hat trick, 800<sup>th</sup> career goal scored, 15 shots on goal, 28
shot attempts, eight credited hits)</li><li><u>Second Star</u>: Erik Gustafsson (3-0-3, plus-6, first career
hat trick (broke 31-game streak to start season without a goal), one
game-winning goal, nine shots on goal, 16 shot attempts, three takeaways (tied
for team lead))</li><li><u>Third Star</u>: Charlie Lindgren (3-1-0, 2.28, .926, second
among all goalies in save percentage for the week)</li></ul><p>
</p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-63682143172479035382022-12-16T17:02:00.000-05:002022-12-16T17:02:05.927-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 33: Maple Leafs at Capitals, December 17<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their five-game winning streak broken by the Dallas Stars on
Thursday night, the Washington Capitals will try to start another winning
streak when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toronto had a four-game winning streak of their
own snapped on Thursday night when they dropped a 3-1 decision to the New York
Rangers in the first game of a short two-game road trip that will conclude in
Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Maple Leafs were a mediocre team over their first ten
games of the season, going 4-4-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
since the calendar flipped to November, they have the best record in the NHL
(15-2-4/34 points/.810 points percentage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Known as an offensive-oriented club, Toronto has been a top-ten scoring
offense over their 21-game run (3.52 goals per game/T-9<sup>th</sup>), but it
has been their defense that has been surprisingly sturdy, allowing just 2.05
goals per game, the best scoring defense in the league over that stretch.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of the 26 skaters to appear for the Leafs over this stretch,
21 of them have on-ice goal differentials in positive territory at even
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading that group is Michael
Bunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a fourth round draft
pick (117<sup>th</sup> overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 Entry
Draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not catch on there,
appearing in just 26 games over two seasons, going 11-3-14, minus-1, before
leaving as a free agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toronto signed
him to a two-year/$1.9 million contract in July 2021, and he has been a
bargain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last season, his first with
Toronto, Bunting was 23-40-63, plus-27, in 79 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finished tied for second among rookies in
goals, ranked second in assists, and led all rookies in points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His plus-27 was second best in his rookie
class, and his three first goals in games was tied for second among all
rookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 63 points he posted was
fifth-most by a Toronto rookie in franchise history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His scoring rate is a bit off of last year’s
pace, but he is still 7-15-22, plus-17, in 31 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been a more efficient player on the road
than at home this season, going 5-7-12, plus-7 in 15 road games with a 21.7
shooting percentage (2-8-10, plus-10, in 16 home games with a 6.5 shooting
percentage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bunting is 3-0-3, plus-4,
in three career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the 21-game stretch, four Leafs posted 20 or more
points, a group led by Mitch Marner, who is in the midst of a career
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marner had a 23-game points
streak snapped on Thursday night in a 3-1 loss in New York to the Rangers, but
before that he went 11-21-32, plus-5, in the 23-game scoring streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the context of the entire season, that
streak is not all that extraordinary. In 31 games to date, Marner has been held
without a point only three times, although two of those instances were on the
road (he was held without a point in Vegas in the 3-1 loss to the Golden
Knights on October 24<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While Marner has, to an extent, labored in the shadow of Auston
Matthews, he is an elite scorer in his own right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 458 games over seven seasons, Marner has
never had a season with less than 60 points and has two 90-plus point seasons
on his resume while going 150-342-492, plus-76 overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing about his game this season is the
consistent nature of his scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
not exploded in individual games as some players with high point totals
might.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has nine multi-point games
this season, but all of them were two-point efforts (the Leafs were 6-0-3 in
those contests).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marner is 3-9-12,
minus-4, in 15 career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If there has been an odd aspect of the Leafs’ 15-2-4 run, it
is the revolving door on the blue line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In those 21 games, ten defensemen dressed for the team, only three – Rasmus
Sandin, Justin Holl, and Mark Giordano – appearing in all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandin lead the defense in scoring over those
21 games (2-8-10) and is tied for the team lead with a plus-11 rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandin was a first-round (29<sup>th</sup>
overall) pick of the Maple Leafs in the 2018 Entry Draft, the 13<sup>th</sup>
defenseman taken in a defenseman-dominated first round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first three seasons in the league,
Sandin showed little evidence of being a top-end offensive contributor, going
6-22-28, plus-8, in 88 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year,
though, he is 2-11-13, plus-9, in 31 games, a slightly better rate of offensive
production than his career before this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Toronto has yet to lose a game in regulation when Sandin records a
point, posting a record of 8-0-2 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, Toronto has only one loss in regulation
when he skated 20 or more minutes, going 10-1-1 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although slightly built (5’11”/183) he uses gritty
play to the team’s advantage, the Maple Leafs with a 10-1-4 record when he was
credited with three or more hits and 8-0-2 when he recorded two or more blocked
shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandin is 1-2-3, plus-1, in two
career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPOiEiOCDVdDXHHKPQytIBhlVf4g9Psev9vhfCJXdLatrcwim9w5NKhsmr-1sDqmWHEB7To32voZlREqOxtuBwi3diAqLjbEk1ihmWwFj8wjo6iKxAmdLedsE89oP84r-KDGiD1Xa51jEfKEEzIWeTKteD9aBeTuelFH65olKg9iGKc96Rw/s432/5%20random%20facts%20TOR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPOiEiOCDVdDXHHKPQytIBhlVf4g9Psev9vhfCJXdLatrcwim9w5NKhsmr-1sDqmWHEB7To32voZlREqOxtuBwi3diAqLjbEk1ihmWwFj8wjo6iKxAmdLedsE89oP84r-KDGiD1Xa51jEfKEEzIWeTKteD9aBeTuelFH65olKg9iGKc96Rw/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20TOR.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Toronto
has scored at a productive rate over theie 15-2-4 run, their power play has not
been an especially large contributor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
23.4 percent over that span, they rank 14<sup>th</sup> in the league.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he penalty kill
has been another story, ranking fifth over their run at 81.4 percent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 21-game run has
featured seven decisions by three or more goals, Toronto winning all of them,
the only club with a perfect record in three-or-more goal games over that
stretch.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the other end,
the Maple Leafs have not lost a one-goal game in regulation in their run
(5-0-4), one of only four teams to accomplish that feat since November 1<sup>st</sup>
(Carolina and St. Louis are the others).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toronto scored
first 14 times in those 21 games (tied for second-most in the league) and are
11-1-2 in those games.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3Yr0uvAoorUErAZnqgQJTVcXgonN1-12NTzwChDIZ9ZbvKuwzEB-U0CqBvQ77uSJvSm71TLJdmD5Gn7KboFMMQIdLfuaU4Dr_B90pE6cg0QiXyIPT3XEBJTymy1mwwL3tnce2qn25o-yscFrB0fT5GK4H-VSpIpS7jNJvFKsANK1cf_9TQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3Yr0uvAoorUErAZnqgQJTVcXgonN1-12NTzwChDIZ9ZbvKuwzEB-U0CqBvQ77uSJvSm71TLJdmD5Gn7KboFMMQIdLfuaU4Dr_B90pE6cg0QiXyIPT3XEBJTymy1mwwL3tnce2qn25o-yscFrB0fT5GK4H-VSpIpS7jNJvFKsANK1cf_9TQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The loss to Dallas
on Thursday night dropped the Caps into a tie for 14<sup>th</sup> place in the
league in points earned on home ice (17, tied with Columbus, although the Blue Jackets
have played five more games than the Caps on home ice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps rank tied
for 22<sup>nd</sup> in the league in scoring offense at home (2.93 goals per
game, with St. Louis) and are eighth in the league in scoring defense on home
ice (2.64 goals allowed per game).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. Washington has allowed only 27.6 shots on goal at home,
the sixth-fewest shots allowed per game in the league on home ice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps, who have
had a recent history of struggling on faceoffs, could get to 50 percent on home
ice with a plus-4 win-loss differential in this game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington need to
do a better job when getting out in front early at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their 4-2-1 record when scoring first in
games ranks 26<sup>th</sup> in the league in winning percentage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Toronto</b></span>: Ilya Samsonov</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, it looks as if, for the moment, Toronto has found
their goaltender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have guessed
at this time last season, when he was tending goal for the Capitals, that it
would be Ilya Samsonov.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there he is,
the league leader in goals against average (1.70; minimum: 250 minutes) and
save percentage (.939), tied for fourth in shutouts (two), and with a 9-2-0
record in 11 appearances (all starts).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only time he was relived in a start this season came in a 2-1 win over
Boston on November 5<sup>th</sup>, when he injured his knee defending a penalty
shot (unsuccessfully) against Brad Marchand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But we saw a similar movie here in Washington – last year,
as it turns out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through his first 11 appearances
last season, Samsonov was 9-0-1 (one no-decision), 2.27, .919, with three
shutouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ranked 11<sup>th</sup> in
goals against average (minimum: 250 minutes) and was 23<sup>rd</sup> in save
percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference this season
is that he is less a passenger with Toronto than he seemed at times, even early
in the season, with the Caps last season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only twice in his 11 starts this season has Samsonov allowed
more than two goals, both in losses, and both on the road – three goals on 33
shots in a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on October 24<sup>th</sup> and four
goals on 29 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on October 29<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is perhaps a key to this game if
Samsonov gets the nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of his 11 appearances
to date, only three have been on the road, where he is 1-2-0, 2.76, .914.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his only appearance against the Caps to
date, he allowed two goals on 26 shots in a 3-2 win over the Caps on October 13<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Dmitry Orlov</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a season dominated by injuries, the absence of Dmitry
Orlov for half of the schedule might get lost in the flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 16 games missed by Orlov the Caps went
8-6-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here is the strange part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 16 games in which he played, the Caps
are just 7-7-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His absence coincides with
those of a number of other players, but that is a startling fact nugget
nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has mattered, though,
is that the Caps have been successful in those games in which Orlov was on the
score sheet, going 4-1-0 when he posted at least one point, 3-6-2 in the 11
games in which he was held without a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His contributions on the gritty side of the game have had benefits as
well, the Caps going 6-3-1 in the ten games in which he had two or more
credited hits and 4-1-0 in the five games in which he recorded two or more
blocked shots.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 16 games missed by Orlov so far this season are unusual
on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has not missed that
many games over an entire season since he missed 28 games of the 2013-2014
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five times in seven seasons
after that, coming into this season, he played in every game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So far this season, Orlov has been a less effective presence
on home ice than he has been on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At Capital One Arena he is 0-3-3, plus-1, in seven games, while he is 1-4-5,
plus-4, in nine road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, all
three of those points on home ice were recorded on October 22<sup>nd</sup> when
he had three assists in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles King. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orlov is without a point in his last three
home games, although he is 1-2-3, plus-2, in his last three games overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orlov is 1-4-5, minus-7, in 22 career games
against Toronto.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are getting to the point in the season, given the Caps
sixth-place spot in the Metropolitan Division standings, where any long losing
streaks are likely to doom their chances to reach the postseason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes winning on home ice, even against
a difficult opponent such as Toronto, essential to their maintaining contact
with the teams in front of them in the standings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will have an incentive of getting
revenge on their former teammate in goal for the loss Ilya Samsonov pinned on
them in October, but winning has to be the focus more than anything.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 5 – Maple Leafs 3</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-25134360442139430962022-12-14T20:01:00.000-05:002022-12-14T20:01:11.209-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 32: Stars at Capitals, December 15 <p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After a successful, history-making two-game road trip, the
Washington Capitals return home to Capital One Arena on Thursday night to face
the Dallas Stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps will go into
the game riding a season-best five-game winning streak, while the Central Division-leading
Stars arrive in Washington as winners in three of their last four games,
including an impressive 4-1 win in New Jersey over the Devils on Tuesday night
in their most recent contest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This will be the third game of a five-game road trip for the
Stars, who as of Wednesday morning are tied for the eighth-best record in the
league on the road in points (8-5-2/18 points) and tied for ninth in points
percentage on the road (.600).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dallas’ success on the road is built on taking care of both
ends of the ice, their scoring offense (3.53 goals per game) and scoring
defense (2.67 goals allowed per game) each ranked in the top-ten in the league
on the road (seventh and tied for sixth, respectively).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been a breakout season for Jason Robertson in goal
scoring, so it is no surprise that he is tied for the team lead in goals scored
on the road this season (eight).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t
sleep on Joe Pavelski, with whom Robertson is tied for the team lead. What is
unusual about Pavelski’s goal scoring so far this season is that he has eight
road goals out of a total of ten in 29 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With eight goals in 15 road games, Pavelski is on a pace to finish with
22 goals on the road, which would tie his career high set with the San Jose
Sharks in 2013-2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paveslki’s road
goal total includes a hat trick in Montreal against the Canadiens in a 5-2 win
on October 22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has slowed down of late, though, with one goal (his only
point) in his last five road games after consecutive games over which he had
two goals and five points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dallas is 4-1-1 in the five road
games in which Pavelski had goals and is 5-1-1 on the road when he posted at
least one point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Pavelski was shutout
in goals, the Stars were 4-4-1, and they were 3-4-1 when he was held without a
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, Pavelski has been cold
of late; he carries an eight-game streak without a goal into this contest,
although he does have five assists in three of those games, the Stars with a
record of 2-0-1 in those instances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
24 career games against the Caps, Pavelski is 9-14-23, plus-7.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dallas does not employ many rookies – only three among the
21 skaters to play so far this season – but among center Wyatt Johnston, defenseman
Nils Lundkvist, and right wing Matej Blumel, Johnston has stood out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the only one of the three to have
appeared in all 30 games for the team this season and leads the trio in goals
(seven) and points (12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, his
seven goals is tied for third among all rookie forwards, and his 12 points rank
tenth in this year’s rookie class to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The 23<sup>rd</sup> overall pick in the 2021 Entry Draft is one of only
11 players in his draft class to appear in NHL games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is tied for third in his class in career
goals (seven), is seventh in points<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(12),
and is eighth in ice time per game (14:19).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Johnston came out of the gate on a cold streak, failing to
put up any points in any of his first five games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But since then he has been slowly picking up
the pace in his production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the seven
games in which he posted goals, the Stars are 4-2-1, and they ae 6-2-2 in the
ten games in which he recorded points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has been more productive in the latest third of his season to date, going
3-3-6, plus-1, in his last ten games, although he does have a three-game streak
without a point going into the contest against the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Johnston does not have a point in his only
career appearance against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 2010 Entry Draft turned out one of the strangest
classes, especially at the top of the draft, in recent draft history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider Taylor Hall, taken first and on his
way to the 800-games played mark in his career, but he has done it playing for
five different teams, posting more than 30 goals in a season only once in 13
seasons (39 with New Jersey in 2017-2018, a season in which he won the Hart
Trophy, the only year he has ever received any votes for the league MVP
award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Nino Niederreiter, taken fifth
in that draft with more than 750 games played, but for four different teams and
still short of 200 career goals (191) and 400 points (381).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Brett Connolly, taken sixth in that draft
with 536 games played for five different teams, including the Caps, but not
currently employed by an NHL team despite being just 30 years old (he signed
with HC Lugano (Switzerland( for this season).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or Dylan McIlrath, the second defenseman taken but who has played in
only 66 games in six NHL seasons for three teams, no games since 2019-2020 with
Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a Capital at the moment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which brings us to Tyler Seguin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the consolation prize of sorts after
the Edmonton Oilers took Taylor Hall with the first overall pick in the 2010
draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seguin was taken second by Boston
and played for three years with the Bruins, posting decent, if not elite
numbers (56-65-212, plus-53, in 203 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was traded to Dallas on the Fourth of July 2013 with Ryan Button and
Rich Peverley for Loui Eriksson, Matt Fraser, Joseph Morrow and Reilly Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seguin found a home, now in his tenth year
with the Stars, but the trade-off seems to be that he would toil in relative
obscurity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seguin finished sixth in Hart Trophy voting in his first
season in Dallas when he finished 37-47-84, plus-16, in 80 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That season started a run of five seasons in
six in which he posted at least 30 goals and six straight seasons with at least
70 points, yet he never received a Hart Trophy vote in the five seasons
following his sixth-place finish in 2013-2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In his last three seasons his production dropped – 43-58-101, minus-23,
in 153 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of that drop in
production was the product of <a href="https://theathletic.com/2315266/2021/01/11/dallas-stars-tyler-seguin-nhl-return/">a hip injury he sustained after he suffered an injuryto a quadriceps muscle</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hip injury –
a complete tear of his labrum that required surgery to do an extended bone shaving
of the hip. Doctors took stem cells from Seguin’s left hip and put it in his
right knee to help with the healing of the lateral quad.
He missed 51 games of the 2020-2021 season. He returned to play 81 games last
season, going 24-25-49, minus-21, and his production has continued to inch
along in that scoring range so far this season (5-17-22, plus-7 in 30 games).
Over his last 14 games he is 2-9-11, plus-10, the Stars going 8-3-3 in that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seguin is 12-7-19, plus-5, in 28 career games
against the Caps.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Fkby9o1nUTzLYy7woKZDzV6hIgN81bTPcxrXP_5PgJLNma6C2M5TDFlLAL34Nh9RkpFR6Ix2_Ehy2O2iXAuRnRTZG1ATd377o0vBm57W3_b5rnnG_L0UhIb00DL8gYCxsN5LBYayhChDtYoPOO8NFbRoIdJvDpQRmfr78Da7dqkSjh9wA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20DAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1Fkby9o1nUTzLYy7woKZDzV6hIgN81bTPcxrXP_5PgJLNma6C2M5TDFlLAL34Nh9RkpFR6Ix2_Ehy2O2iXAuRnRTZG1ATd377o0vBm57W3_b5rnnG_L0UhIb00DL8gYCxsN5LBYayhChDtYoPOO8NFbRoIdJvDpQRmfr78Da7dqkSjh9wA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20DAL.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dallas punishes
opponents on the road with their power play, when they get a chance to deploy
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 31.0 percent, they rank first in
the league in road power play conversions, but the 2.80 man advantages per game
on the road are tied for 25<sup>th</sup> in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road penalty
kill is almost as effective as the power play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 24.5 percent they rank third in the league in road penalty killing
efficiency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they spend a lot of time
killing penalties, the 3.87 shorthanded situations faced per game the
fourth-most in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dallas has
remarkable consistency on offense on the road on a period-to-period basis. In
15 road games they scored 18 first period goals, 18 second period goals, and 17
third period goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And only Columbus has
allowed fewer first period goals (five) than Dallas (six), although the Blue
Jackets have played only nine road games to date.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stars scored
first 12 times in 15 road games, tied for most in the league (with
Colorado).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just 8-3-1 in those
games, their .667 winning percentage tied for 16<sup>th</sup> in the league
(with Pittsburgh).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dallas did not win
any of the three games they trailed first on the road (0-2-1), one of four
teams in the league without a win when trailing first.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close games have
not been a feature of road games for the Stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only three of 15 games were decided by one goal, and Dallas lost all of
them (0-1-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Stars and Columbus are
the only teams without a one-goal win on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
the other hand, Dallas is 7-2 in road games decided by three or more goals,
most wins in the league in such games.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK75gIAzskWB0lr6gnrw4UD4gy-SL7GpmLHjdKxLh8ud6mkRxFjy7-MbF0aIw9_sxNHOLpK6sxnvYh8eseMACFeq07NHcgn0zTg1obEtkncUWH0uhGDJWDmCaIhNUqTIt4i0AavSqlbA2zgYIiy6z_Ze4ZmZupvB_YoLEYl-Cg7Af5GHQBw/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK75gIAzskWB0lr6gnrw4UD4gy-SL7GpmLHjdKxLh8ud6mkRxFjy7-MbF0aIw9_sxNHOLpK6sxnvYh8eseMACFeq07NHcgn0zTg1obEtkncUWH0uhGDJWDmCaIhNUqTIt4i0AavSqlbA2zgYIiy6z_Ze4ZmZupvB_YoLEYl-Cg7Af5GHQBw/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The five-game
winning streak the Caps bring into this game is their longest since they rolled
off a seven-game winning streak in Games 24-30 in March 2021.
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington trailed
in seven of 13 home games going into this contest; their.571 winning percentage
(4-3-0) is tied for third-best in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two teams
have faced fewer shorthanded situations on home ice than the Caps (31) – Carolina
(24 times in nine home games) and Arizona (23 times in six home games). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only St. Louis has faced fewer per game (2.21)
than the Caps (2.38).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of 14 Caps to
appear in at least ten of the 13 home games played to date, Garnet Hathaway is
the only skater without a point.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin has
the worst rating of 26 skaters to play for the Caps on home ice this season –
minus-6 in 13 games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Dallas</b></span>: Jamie Benn</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With Jason Robertson seemingly incapable of missing any goal
scoring opportunity these days, it is easy to overlook his teammate Jamie Benn,
who has “only” 11 goals and 27 points this season (a 30-44-74 scoring pace over
82 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benn is a member of a 2007
Entry Draft class that had a lot of contributions from late round picks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fifth-rounder (129<sup>th</sup> overall) taken
by the Stars in that draft, Benn is one of eight skaters taken in the fifth
round or later to appear in more than 500 NHL games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, over 14 seasons, Benn has
steadily climbed the all-time franchise rankings in a variety of statistical categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is third in team history in games played
(978) and seems to be a lock to become only the second player to dress for
1,000 games for the franchise (Mike Modano played in 1,459 games for the
Stars).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is third in goals (340), just
two behind Brian Bellows for second place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is third in assists (456) and points (796).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benn is fifth in power play goals (93) and
seventh in power play points (215).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is third in shorthanded goals (13) and shorthanded points (24).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the all-time leader in overtime goals
(11) and is second in game-winning goals (52).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only Sergei Zubov logged more minutes of ice time (19,506) than Benn
(17,799).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, Benn might be breaking out of a three-year slip
in production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his first ten NHL
seasons, he topped 20 goals nine times, the only time he missed being in
2012-2013 when he had 12 in 41 games in an abbreviated schedule (lockout).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In nine seasons ending in 2018-2019, he
topped 50 points eight times, coming up short only in that 2012-2013 season
(33).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over the three seasons
preceding this one he failed to reach 20 goals in all of them, and he failed to
reach 50 points, although two of those seasons were cut short due to COVID
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He already has 11 goals and 27
points in 30 games this season, which would put him on the good side of 20
goals and 50 points for the first time since 2018-2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benn is 7-9-16, plus-16, in 19 career games
against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Nic Dowd</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nic Dowd is having a bit of an odd season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through 31 games to date, he is 5-5-10,
plus-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a rate of production consistent
with the 10-14-24, plus-10, career best scoring line he posted last season with
the Caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And his shooting percentage
(20.8 percent) is easily his career-best to date (17.0 percent in his first
year with the Caps in 2018-2019).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 23
blocked shots in 31 games would allow him to challenge his career best (53 in
64 games last season), as would his 72 hits in 31 games (145 in 70 games with
Los Angeles in 2016-2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been on
ice for only 11 even strength goals against in 31 games, second fewest among
Caps forwards appearing in at least ten games (Garnet Hathaway: 10), and his
plus-3 goal differential at evens is tied with Hathaway for best among all
forwards.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there are faceoffs, which had been just about the most
reliable part of his game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four
seasons coming into this one, Dowd ranked 44<sup>th</sup> of 222 skaters taking
at least 500 faceoffs (53.3 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this season he ranks 84<sup>th</sup> among 153 skaters taking at
least 100 draws (49.0 percent) and has been at 50 percent or better in only 16
of 31 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stranger still, the Caps
are just 7-7-2 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
8-5-2 in the 15 games he was under 50 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But back to his scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As one might expect, getting second or third level scoring from bottom
six forwards is often a sign of success, and the Caps are 4-1-0 in the five
games in which he has a goal, 7-2-1 in the games in which he has a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also worth noting that his ice time does
not seem to matter much in wins and losses, the Caps going 6-3-4 in the 13
games in which he skated at least 14 minutes, 9-9-0 in the 18 games in which he
skated less than 14 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dowd is
2-2-4, plus-1, in nine career games against Dallas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There will be a temptation, this being the first game at
home after a brief road trip, plus the record-setting performance by Alex
Ovechkin in Chicago to climb to within one goal of Gordie Howe for second place
all time in goals scored in the NHL, to show ofa bit and try harder to get
those two goals for Ovechkin to pass Howe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That would be the kiss of death against the Dallas Stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tend to business, play a workman-like game,
pretend it is another road game, and things should work out for the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 3 – Stars 2</b></span></span></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p></p><p></p><br />The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-51292957230677019122022-12-12T14:23:00.000-05:002022-12-12T14:23:04.228-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 31: Capitals at Blackhawks, December 13<p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The suddenly streaking Washington Capitals head back to the
ice on Tuesday night to close their two-game road trip with a meeting at United
Center against the Chicago Blackhawks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington will be facing the Blackhawks looking to extend their season-high
four game winning streak to a fifth game, while the Blackhawks will be trying
to squirm out from under a three-game losing streak that has left them with the
second-worst record in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The three-game losing streak for Chicago does not do justice
to the depth of the rut in which they find themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blackhawks started the season in
promising fashion, going 4-2-0 in their first six games. But that start was followed
by a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They split their next four games (2-1-1), but then they suffered an
eight-game losing streak (0-7-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A win
to end that streak was then followed by the three-game losing streak on which
they find themselves, a record of 3-13-4 following that 4-2-0 start.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over that 3-13-4 slide, Chicago is last in the league in
scoring offense (2.10 goals per game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eighteen of 23 skaters to dress over that period have at least one goal,
but none have more than six.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would
be the number that co-leaders Max Domi and Taylor Raddysh recorded over that
20-game span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eight-year veteran
playing for his fifth NHL team, Domi signed a one-year/$3.0 million contract
with the Blackhawks as an unrestricted free agent last July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the team’s circumstances, it seems to
be a lock that before the end of the season, Domi will be playing for his sixth
NHL team in the event the Blackhawks trade him for futures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, Domi is scoring goals at a paced (a
team-leading nine in 26 games) that would have him challenge his career high of
28 goals in 82 games with Montreal in 2018-2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six of those nine goals to date have come on
power plays, also a team high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Blackhawks are not a very good team when he scores (3-4-0 when he recorded at
least one goal, 5-7-1 when he posted at least one point), but they are awful
when he does not (4-11-4 when he failed to score a goal, 2-9-3 when he did not
post a point).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One wonders if he can
sustain the goal-scoring pace he has had through the first third of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is shooting 17.0 percent, a career high by
a considerable amount (he shot 13.8 percent in 2018-2019 when he had 28 goals)
and much higher than the 10.1 career shooting percentage he had coming into
this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is his
orneriness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Domi is tied for the team
lead in penalty minutes and since he came into the league in 2015-2016, he is
one of only five forwards with at least 300 points and at least 450 penalty
minutes (333/463).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others are
Evander Kane (336/679), Brad Marchand (588/567), Nazem Kadri (381/469), and
Matthew Tkachuk (419/466), pretty much a who’s who of nasty players with
skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Domi is 1-11-12, plus-3, in 16
career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Taylor Raddysh played his 100<sup>th</sup> NHL game in
Chicago’s last contest, scoring the Blackhawks’ only goal in a 3-1 loss to the
Winnipeg Jets last Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
second-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016, Raddysh played in
53 games with the Lightning last season as a rookie before he was traded to
Chicago with a first-round draft pick in 2023, a first-round draft pick in 2024,
and Boris Katchouk to the Chicago Blackhawks for a fourth-round draft pick in
2022, a fourth-round draft pick in 2024, and Brandon Hagel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 21 games with Chicago to wrap up the
season he was 6-4-10, minus-4, while averaging 15:34 in ice time per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 26 games so far this season he already has
six goals and 11 points, with his ice time up a few ticks (15:53 per
game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That 21.6 shooting percentage
sticks out as something he might not be able to sustain as the season wears,
on, though.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Raddysh started this season on an up note, going 3-3-6,
plus-2, over his first eight games, but since then he is 5-0-5, minus-10, in 18
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raddysh’s performance to date is
another instance of production having a weak link with success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago is 3-2-3 in the eight games in which
he scored a goal, and the Blackhawks are 4-3-3 in the ten games in which he had
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as with Domi, when he has
not produced, the team results have been awful – 4-13-1 in the 18 games in
which he did not score a goal and 3-12-1 in the 16 games in which he did not
record a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heavy ice time loads –
even middling ice time loads – have not been kind to him or the
Blackhawks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 21 games in which Haddysh
skated 14:51 or more, Chicago is 2-15-4, while the Blackhawks are undefeated
when he skated less than 14:51 (5-0-0).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Haddysh is 0-1-1, even, in his only appearance to date against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 26 games to date, the Blackhawks have used four
goaltenders – Arvid Soderblom (11 starts, 2-8-2, 3.18, .906), Petr Mrazek (nine
starts, 2-5-1, 4.05, .884), Alex Staylock (six starts, 3-2-1, 2.93, .914), and
Dylan Wells (no starts/one appearance, 0-0-0, 3.00, .923).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fifth goalie – Jaxson Stauber – was called
up when Mrazek was placed on the injured list with a groin injury (he was
reactivated on Monday, and Stauber was returned to the Rockford IceHogs in the
AHL).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he is fully recovered from his
injury, Mrazek facing the Caps would make sense, given his experience against
them (14 career appearances; Soderblom, Stalock, and Wells have combined for
two career appearances against Washington).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mrazek is in his first year with Chicago after he was traded
last July by the Toronto Maple Leafs with a first-round draft pick in 2022 for a
second-round draft pick in 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
his fifth team in 11 NHL seasons, and it has not gone very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 4.05 goals against average to date is the
worst of his career, and his .884 save percentage also ranks as his worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrazek has sagged under the weight of high
shot volumes, facing 35 or more shots on goal five times in nine appearances
and only once facing fewer than 30 in which he played a full game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four of those games in which he faced 35
or more shots, he allowed five or more goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of significance for this game, he has three appearances on home ice so
far this season and has yet to post a win (0-2-0, one no-decision, 4.90,
.862).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His even strength save percentage
on home ice is terrible (.859), ranking 63<sup>rd</sup> among 65 goalies to
appear in at least three games on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 14 career appearances against the Caps, Mrazek is 5-7-2, 2.74, .910,
with one shutout.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln92V9XMAeLTbAnT7qjwJd6JN487H7S3Hs70D54e7Sl3MZbOkz9oK_-cjYHdIT3172C0BtezCTsm1Ky_2NQqBVyn_oSHAQRZ41-rWu51-_IBOMIbVBH_L85oU9LBPmQMT14nIWpUabEDu_Y2-htxYQ3NQgsFyMuIISW_tKpCWq4VIAOJqBw/s432/5%20random%20facts%20CHI.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln92V9XMAeLTbAnT7qjwJd6JN487H7S3Hs70D54e7Sl3MZbOkz9oK_-cjYHdIT3172C0BtezCTsm1Ky_2NQqBVyn_oSHAQRZ41-rWu51-_IBOMIbVBH_L85oU9LBPmQMT14nIWpUabEDu_Y2-htxYQ3NQgsFyMuIISW_tKpCWq4VIAOJqBw/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20CHI.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago has four
wins in 14 games on home ice this season; only two teams have fewer (Arizona:
three in six home games; and San Jose: 2 in 15 home games).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blackhawks are
averaging 2.71 goals per game on home ice so far, 29<sup>th</sup> in the league
in scoring offense on home ice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago does lead
the league in faceoff winning percentage on home ice (56.9 percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blackhawks scored
first in three of 14 home games so far; no team has scored first fewer times
(they are tied with Arizona, Montreal, and Philadelphia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Blackhawks are 2-0-1 in those three
games.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago struggles
with good starts on home ice; their first period goal differential is minus-8
(seven goals scored, 15 allowed).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowCHssCPyL98cqxec8Sn9Aktm7Xvcpcqtq_Vqpsj6x9DMX8gxkcBSxCfJL2LKj8rSO0Rug_7YWZKZIS2Z5RieXlX01sfyfeKpww9FWz0EMHavBs29gr-qEGQAL4MpczQU_9cfq7H3YAvWNHabFT0FUE9u17i_x8LZp8BXeuLZXADqznUtGQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowCHssCPyL98cqxec8Sn9Aktm7Xvcpcqtq_Vqpsj6x9DMX8gxkcBSxCfJL2LKj8rSO0Rug_7YWZKZIS2Z5RieXlX01sfyfeKpww9FWz0EMHavBs29gr-qEGQAL4MpczQU_9cfq7H3YAvWNHabFT0FUE9u17i_x8LZp8BXeuLZXADqznUtGQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Marcus
Johansson scored on a penalty shot in the 5-2 win over Winnipeg on Sunday night,
it was the sixth penalty shot goal scored in the league this season but only
the third scored on the road. Mark Stone and Brad Marchand have the other
goals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Carlson is
second in the league in blocked shots in road games (42); Vegas’ Alec Martinez
has 55.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin and
Jake Guentzel are tied for the league lead with four empty net goals on the
road.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No player in the
league has hit more iron on shot attempts in road games the Ovechkin (four
misses hitting posts or crossbars).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dylan Strome is
tied for third in the league in primary assists on power play goals on the road
(four).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Chicago</b></span>: Patrick Kane</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will the second-leading point getter in Chicago Blackhawks’
history be a Blackhawk when the curtain comes down on the regular season?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kane, who has 1,200 career points as a
Blackhawk (Stan Mikita had 1,467), seems to be <a href="https://theathletic.com/3972505/2022/12/06/blackhawks-kane-toews-trade/ ">at least open to the idea of moving on</a> from the shores of Lake Michigan, although asking for a trade
appears, at least for the moment, a step too far. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colorado and the New York Rangers are
mentioned as landing places for the 16-year veteran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kane is in the walk year of an
eight-year/$84.0 million contract, which narrows the potential population of
teams to which he might go, even if the Blackhawks retain salary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kane also has a no-movement clause in his
contract, which gives the player considerable leverage in going to a club to
his liking.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the other hand, what makes Kane an attractive target is
that at age 34, he does not seem to be slowing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last season he posted 92 points in 78 games,
the fourth consecutive season in which he averaged more than a point per
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he is off that pace so far
this season, he does have 20 points in 26 games with a lot of time to pursue a
fifth consecutive season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there has been
an area of concern, it is his goal scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has only four in 26 games, and his 4.5 shooting percentage is the
worst of his career to date by a large margin (he shot 7.9 percent in 56 games
in 2020-2021).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kane has a solid run to
end November and start December, going 2-8-10 in ten games, but he goes into
the game against the Caps with a three-game streak without a point, his longest
such streak since a three-game streak in early November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kane is 7-11-18, minus-9, in 19 career games
against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Anthony Mantha</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One gets the feeling that Anthony Mantha is at the start of
a lengthy scoring run, having gone 1-3-4 in his last three games, tying his longest
points streak of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It matters,
for the Caps and Mantha’s general well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Washington is 7-5-0 in the 12 games in which Mantha has points this season,
and Mantha has plus ratings nine of the 12 games, even in one other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But have we seen this “coming attractions” before with
Mantha, only to see his production dry up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here might be a key fact to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those two three-game points streaks are the only two instances this
season in which he recorded points in consecutive games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And getting more ice time has not been a good
thing for Mantha or the Caps, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
seven games in which he skated at least 16 minutes, the Caps are 1-5-1, and he
has just two points in those games (a goal and an assist) along with a minus-5
rating.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Offensive engagement does not seem to help much,
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 16 games in which he recorded
two or more shots on goal, the Caps are 8-7-1, even though he is 5-6-11,
minus-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His role seems to be changing
somewhat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his first 22 games he
averaged 15:06 in ice time per game, a reflection of getting at least some
scoring line responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over his
last eight games he is averaging only 13:09 per game, getting more third line
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this arrangement seems a
bit more conducive to Caps success, the team going 5-2-1 over those eight
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this game, the thing to watch
might be his shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mantha is shooting
21.7 percent at Capital One Arena in 13 games, but he is shooting just 6.5 percent
in 17 road games so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is 2-5-7,
minus-7, in 12 career games against Chicago.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no way that the Caps should lose this game – on paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, the Caps are 4-6-1 in
their last 11 games in Chicago dating back to March 2008, and they have lost in
three of their last four visits to Chicago (1-2-1), allowing 23 goals in the
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps had better be on the
toes and must be sharp early at both ends of the rink, because the Hawks on ice
have played much better against the Caps than the “paper” would suggest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 4 – Blackhawks 2</b></span></span></p>
<p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-60322880719373788452022-12-11T20:08:00.000-05:002022-12-11T20:08:09.542-05:00Washington Capitals: That Was The Week That Was - Week 9<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kSFNkMG-Fw3oeDgieB5A0zpGDG654ixwUD7LLIE9nP3Wly-JvXjcCEdMQ0sYVQCCoth0ji092OSDyx40kQvFip-IDjlOuYmjGb3lTpNYrskM6eWBaN3rbmYgVdqYSoEl1zTdUN7eWAKIxXc1Iidu7s1j2dq5WheZe5waOWQQPVkCSdVJug/s124/TWTWTW%20win.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="62" data-original-width="124" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kSFNkMG-Fw3oeDgieB5A0zpGDG654ixwUD7LLIE9nP3Wly-JvXjcCEdMQ0sYVQCCoth0ji092OSDyx40kQvFip-IDjlOuYmjGb3lTpNYrskM6eWBaN3rbmYgVdqYSoEl1zTdUN7eWAKIxXc1Iidu7s1j2dq5WheZe5waOWQQPVkCSdVJug/s1600/TWTWTW%20win.gif" width="124" /></a></div>For the Washington Capitals, Week 9 was about as good as it
gets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A perfect 3-0-0 record, a more
than two goal positive differential per game, a sparkling performance by their
backup goalie filling in for the injured number one, and they closed to within
three points of a playoff-eligible spot in the Eastern Conference.
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJabx1TxIVk-1KXRFGKM8hzGNDatg3CZ9KcWLr05TPGC1h0V2HiBSyO9UQhv1H_zDeb2WIxL9ueDr8wyTsKmiJn-m5BqeOTYNRdnVIrY-pUhD88Wy5khPlPoA3F-uLuFmn0G1Dp81HpRw_ELwqDA4vGe8Pi6_yDZAGaV1Se2EvkAxlvwWcjA/s536/summary%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="536" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJabx1TxIVk-1KXRFGKM8hzGNDatg3CZ9KcWLr05TPGC1h0V2HiBSyO9UQhv1H_zDeb2WIxL9ueDr8wyTsKmiJn-m5BqeOTYNRdnVIrY-pUhD88Wy5khPlPoA3F-uLuFmn0G1Dp81HpRw_ELwqDA4vGe8Pi6_yDZAGaV1Se2EvkAxlvwWcjA/w400-h236/summary%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Record (3-0-0)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">It might surprise you to know that Week 9 is the first week
this season in which the Caps did not lose a game in regulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also their first three-win week of the
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three wins also represented
the Caps’ first three-game winning streak of the season, finally getting that
third consecutive win after posting three two-game streak before this
three-game run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although you might
think it too early to think of such things, the Caps now have 12 wins in regulation,
which is the first standings tie-breaker if teams are even in games played and
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ties them with the New York
Rangers (currently the second wild-card team) and Tampa Bay Lightning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of the two teams the Caps would have to
jump over to get to the Rangers – Florida and Detroit – the Caps have as many
regulation wins as Florida and one more than Detroit (11), although both teams currently
have games in hand on the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6ZsniwcxNDThLrZm1h7m6IFrDELFo6MUafrbhesSwrMqFzXAdx_iWWwlXSQN3Wqa0gihZsFXxupUpLMc7fbZSlqLZJ-iP0-_CuTZ54kA2eBFILMBZcPuV3aeDt3qevLLpU92FP4ek77IwtYzTq75tWJtu0yhK2bQitC3IUofo_X6mEWZ7w/s408/record%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="408" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6ZsniwcxNDThLrZm1h7m6IFrDELFo6MUafrbhesSwrMqFzXAdx_iWWwlXSQN3Wqa0gihZsFXxupUpLMc7fbZSlqLZJ-iP0-_CuTZ54kA2eBFILMBZcPuV3aeDt3qevLLpU92FP4ek77IwtYzTq75tWJtu0yhK2bQitC3IUofo_X6mEWZ7w/w400-h266/record%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Offense: 3.67/game (season: 2.83 / 27th)</b><p></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The keyword for the Caps’ offense in Week 9 was “balance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 18 skaters to dress over the three
games, seven shared in the 11 goals, and 16 of them had at least one
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin led the way with
three goals, all of them empty netters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two empty net goals he recorded in the 4-1 win over Philadelphia in
the middle game of the week was the second time in his career that he posted
two empty net goals in a game, both times on the road (the other was November
20, 2019, in a 5-2 win in Detroit over the Red Wings).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the only Capital in team history to
have at least one two-empty net goal game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lars Eller and T.J. Oshie were the other Caps with multi-goal weeks,
each recording a pair.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps were led in points by Ovechkin (3-1-4) and Evgeny
Kuznetsov (0-4-4).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six other Caps had
multi-point weeks, Dylan Strome and Anthony Mantha (each going 1-2-3) posting
three-point weeks.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Defense: 1.33 / game (season: 2.93 / 11th)</b></p><b>
</b>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps tied the Toronto Maple Leafs in allowing the fewest
goals in Week nine, both teams giving up four in three games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps had the added benefit of allowing
only 28.7 shots per game, 4.3 fewer shots per game than the Maple Leafs (33.0)
and eighth-fewest per game in the league for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was balance in terms of results among the
individual players here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 18
skaters, 16 had positive goal differentials at 5-on-5, and only T.J. Oshie had
a negative differential (minus-1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also had the only minus rating for the week (minus-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 9 continued another welcome trend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By week’s end the Caps had not allowed more
than 30 shots on goal in consecutive games over their last 12 contests.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Goaltending: 1.34 / .953 (season: 2.67 / .913 / 2 shutouts)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Week 9 was “The Charlie Lindgren Show.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 3-0-0, 1.34, .953 in the three games
in relief of the injured Darcy Kuemper).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He led the league in goals against average (minimum: 75 minutes) and led
the league in save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, he
did it against one of the more explosive offenses in the league, allowing only
two goals to the Edmonton Oilers, and held an underrated scoring offense in the
Seattle Kraken (eighth in the league in scoring offense at week’s end at 3.50
goals per game) to a single goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
best part of Lindgren’s week, though, might have been his third period performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was perfect in three games, stopping 40 of
40 shots, the shot total being almost as many as that of the combined totals of
the first two periods of games (46).</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Power Play: 3-for-11 / 27.3 percent (season: 21.4 percent / 21st)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the third straight week, the Caps’ power play topped 20
percent, another season best streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oshie
made his important presence on the Caps power play felt with two power play
goals to lead the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oshie also led
the team with eight power play shots on goal, an indicator of his skill in finding
open spaces in the bumper spot in the 1-3-1 power play structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marcus Johansson had the other goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which brings to mind an interesting fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex Ovechkin finished the week without a power
play goal in his last seven games and has only one in his last 15 contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six Caps recorded power play points for the
week Oshie (2-0-2), Dylan Strome (0-2-2), and Evgeny Kuznetsov (0-2-2) each
getting a pair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sonny Milano, Marcus
Johansson, and Alex Ovechkin had the others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvejs9SLJSKHxokLO-sJfWwomPo9KhuVSyjyF4h_mdXmhgHGQTwuvaT9NRJ2oUOLBuoip5rrYnxgcEWIeEzJxvnkR33ADolgAwViq8iNZ_9aDhte3rFF3ZC05ETkunLr5oNR2rApCY8geCPgkSRmSo5HLmSEXwf8X1TyOb9Tco5zdi0B2jEw/s408/PP%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="408" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvejs9SLJSKHxokLO-sJfWwomPo9KhuVSyjyF4h_mdXmhgHGQTwuvaT9NRJ2oUOLBuoip5rrYnxgcEWIeEzJxvnkR33ADolgAwViq8iNZ_9aDhte3rFF3ZC05ETkunLr5oNR2rApCY8geCPgkSRmSo5HLmSEXwf8X1TyOb9Tco5zdi0B2jEw/w400-h303/PP%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Penalty Killing 5-for-6 / 83.3 percent (season: 80.7 percent
/ 8th)</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although the penalty kill has slipped a bit over the last
three weeks, it still posted its third consecutive week with an 80-plus percent
penalty kill rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the best thing
about the Week 9 effort was not having to use the penalty kill that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The six shorthanded situations faced tied the
fewest for the Caps in a week this season (they were 3-for-6 in Week 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it was the third consecutive week
allowing a single power play goal, a welcome development after their ghastly
7-for-12 penalty kill in Week 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUSpQmYBH3FkdXLijO9bMPCRbddRYbhQxSPYPSNPbFzcz6yZzb6KoCeORiqH8Wy5yczVSl6ryzJkqhOYWZL3-EXiEc78tnej8Mhj0plAg3vQmoe6vA0ClHsEjhO8fJrzjuZWU9fwm1E7ya_2JRiiIlv_6W2rfCpTuool5jmbgGV_v_uhDBg/s408/PK%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="408" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUSpQmYBH3FkdXLijO9bMPCRbddRYbhQxSPYPSNPbFzcz6yZzb6KoCeORiqH8Wy5yczVSl6ryzJkqhOYWZL3-EXiEc78tnej8Mhj0plAg3vQmoe6vA0ClHsEjhO8fJrzjuZWU9fwm1E7ya_2JRiiIlv_6W2rfCpTuool5jmbgGV_v_uhDBg/w400-h297/PK%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Faceoffs: 84-for-156 / 53.9 percent (season: 48.6 percent / 22nd)</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps are getting better at this thing called “faceoffs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What made it an odd week was that of the four
Caps to take at least ten draws, it was the usually reliable Nic Dowd who was
the only Capital under 50 percent (45.9 percent), and he was a very un-Dowd
like 41.4 percent in the defensive end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the good side, the Caps were over 50 percent as a team in all three
zones for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this, add that
Evgeny Kuznetsov took more defensive zone draws (12) than offensive zone draws
(ten) and won 75.0 percent of them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyhslZidlKHcr0Unsx1YQiDTnJUtJLYx6ZtjUIeXgj4FkrPju10xrBGTz-V99-h2KtoRzyLLgTYr71K30WLEa7GI2sbNgV2cWfe_2J1bFQFbYE0gldcVgcVKrA78h7tV9pRfgeE7-PvEmcmg-t58nsdG7z94F2IqZs4gAzTUEq5z6rby7mg/s625/faceoffs%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="625" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyhslZidlKHcr0Unsx1YQiDTnJUtJLYx6ZtjUIeXgj4FkrPju10xrBGTz-V99-h2KtoRzyLLgTYr71K30WLEa7GI2sbNgV2cWfe_2J1bFQFbYE0gldcVgcVKrA78h7tV9pRfgeE7-PvEmcmg-t58nsdG7z94F2IqZs4gAzTUEq5z6rby7mg/w400-h129/faceoffs%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Goals by Period</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Week 9 was a case of what do you value more, scoring early
or holding teams scoreless late?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Caps did not score a first period goal in any of the three games and allowed
the game’s first goal in all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But on the other hand, they did not allow a third period goal in any of
the three games, scored six of their own (four of them empty netters).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the second periods of games that
really set up the Caps for adding easier goals late, holding a 5-2 edge in the
middle periods of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless,
the lack of first period scoring is disturbing, the 17 goals scored in first
periods by the Caps ranking 28<sup>th</sup> in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhen6DMFuLDuMwrJPmlqg-snp5SMU3lLpfqc8QEcu8DJevQmbxHhRClN0eHaVBJBjDe13qsJ0qCdJKgWFmQh7SGcJUm8A8U1kkjM-67eUR4KjgW1kaCtp1xrM0fCZqEqsGtDuJgjB1wqBXFZDt8T14P-yo8_ndSmEXwRvhFcSMHetfGQsvmWg/s406/goals%20by%20period%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="406" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhen6DMFuLDuMwrJPmlqg-snp5SMU3lLpfqc8QEcu8DJevQmbxHhRClN0eHaVBJBjDe13qsJ0qCdJKgWFmQh7SGcJUm8A8U1kkjM-67eUR4KjgW1kaCtp1xrM0fCZqEqsGtDuJgjB1wqBXFZDt8T14P-yo8_ndSmEXwRvhFcSMHetfGQsvmWg/w400-h206/goals%20by%20period%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Year-over-Year</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 3-0-0 week, with all the positive statistical outcomes,
pushed the Caps a bit closer to last year’s club over an equivalent number of
games, but they still lag in most categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is worth noting that this year’s power play is significantly better
than last year’s at the same point, and that is without Nicklas Backstrom or
Tom Wilson in the lineup to get power play minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is the takeaway-to-giveaway
differential that, while subject to a measure of interpretation is a plus-20
through 29 games compared to a plus-4 through 29 games last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would like to see a bit more discipline
with this year’s club, which has been penalized much more than last year’s
squad, leading to nine more shorthanded situations faced this season compared
to last year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB4Nc3I983H9JHdLJgOO-Ir-Jq-RLCR4j5MCvH65gwFWuxvyEKSQAfJCqK_pqFWvxud6UIULZZS2BqoklX0U1V66qpHyh7tW_hyEmRLjA0j_7yCgcAykjB5HIAp-wNOf0AIzyRv92256gMssY-DuDzmfGQUNle2owiXoBzFpzkfHUCaumPg/s677/YoY%2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="677" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB4Nc3I983H9JHdLJgOO-Ir-Jq-RLCR4j5MCvH65gwFWuxvyEKSQAfJCqK_pqFWvxud6UIULZZS2BqoklX0U1V66qpHyh7tW_hyEmRLjA0j_7yCgcAykjB5HIAp-wNOf0AIzyRv92256gMssY-DuDzmfGQUNle2owiXoBzFpzkfHUCaumPg/w400-h210/YoY%2009.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>In the end…</b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not a perfect week, except where it counts most, in the
win-loss record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are on a nice
run at the moment, a good thing because over the next month, the Caps will face
Chicago, Ottawa (twice), Montreal, Buffalo, Columbus (twice), and Philadelphia
(twice) over a span of 16 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
makes nine games in which the Caps should be favored and presents the best
opportunity to make up ground in the playoff race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Week 9 set up the Caps nicely as they embark
on the next part of their schedule.</p>
<b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Three Stars</b></p>
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>First Star</u>: Charlie Lindgren (1.34, .953, perfect in third period
save percentage (40-for-40/1.000))</li><li><u>Second Star</u>: Alex Ovechkin (3-1-4, plus-3, 22 shots on goal,
35 shot attempts, 12 credited hits (led team), three empty net goals (only
player in Caps history to record at least one two-empty net goal game; he has now
done it twice))</li><li><u>Third Star</u>: Evgeny Kuznetsov (0-4-4, plus-1, two power play
points, 69.2 faceoff winning percentage, one even strength goal against-on ice)</li></ul><p> <br /></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-12360728912457939002022-12-10T15:51:00.000-05:002022-12-10T15:51:40.590-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 30: Capitals at Jets, December 11<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals suddenly find themselves in
uncharted territory as they head west once more, this time to take on the
Winnipeg Jets in the first of a two game road trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they have packed in their carry-ons for
the trip is a three-game winning streak, their first of the season, after
dispatching the Seattle Kraken, 4-1, on Friday night in Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Winnipeg will pose a stiff challenge for the Caps as they
try to extend their winning streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
opening the season with a 2-3-0 record, the Jets are 16-4-1 since October 24<sup>th</sup>,
tied for second with the Vegas Golden Knights in standings points over that span
(33) and third in points percentage (.786).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While their offense has been good over those 21 games (3.57 goals per
game/ninth in scoring offense), it is their defense and goaltending that have excelled,
the 2.24 goals allowed per game over that span being the third best scoring
defense in the league and best in the Western Conference.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is re-establishing himself as
one of the elite goalies in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The winner of the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender in 2019-2020 and the
fourth-place finisher in Trophy voting in 2020-2021, he had an off season last
year, going 29-27-10, 2.97, .910, with four shutouts after going 55-38-8, 2.58,
.920, with ten shutouts in the two previous seasons combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it was a product of workload –as much
shots faced as minutes played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last season,
Hellebuyck finished second among all goalies in minutes played (3,903; 28 fewer
minutes than Nashville’s Juuse Saros), but he led the league in shots faced
(2,155) and saves (1,962).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not
surprising that he led the league’s goalies in goals allowed (193, 16 more than
Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, despite a heavy workload, Hellebuyck leads all
goalies in wins overall (14), is third in goals against average (2.24; minimum:
500 minutes played), is fourth in save percentage (.932), and is tied for fist
in shutouts (three, with Detroit’s Ville Husso).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But while his overall numbers are excellent,
his performance on home ice has been incredible – 9-2-0, 1.36, .956, with three
shutouts in 11 appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only once in
those 11 appearances has Hellebuyck allowed more than two goals, stopping 24 of
27 shots in a 4-1 loss to Toronto on October 22<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He allowed two or fewer goals in his last
nine games on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">ellebuyck i</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Odd Hellebuyck fact: Over the last four seasons, including
this one, no goalie has played more minutes without having been charged with a penalty
(9,775 minutes going into this game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is 4-3-2, 2.19, .929, with one shutout in nine career appearances against the
Capitals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Josh Morrisey might be coming into his own after seven years
in the NHL that did not seem to live up to his lofty status as a draft pick (13<sup>th</sup>
overall by the Jets in 2013).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his
first six full seasons in the league (he played in one game in 2015-2016, his
first NHL experience), he was a consistent, if not particularly high-volume
scorer from the blue line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first
five of those six seasons, he never reached the ten-goal mark, but he did record
20 more points in all of them with a high of 31 in consecutive seasons
(2018-2019 and 2019-2020).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, he
took a step up, posting a career high 12 goals in 79 games to go along with his
career high 173 shots on goal and career high 23:40 in ice time per game. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year, Morrisey has gone up another rung on the
performance ladder with a 5-25-30, plus-11, scoring line through 26 games
played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might not be able to sustain
the goal scoring pace, given an 11.9 shooting percentage to date (five points
better than his career best).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he
has done this season to improve his offensive numbers is provide dependable
power play support, his 11 power play points leading all Jets defensemen and
bringing his career high of 15 power play points posted last season into range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His home/road offensive splits look balanced,
but they do have different characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 13 road games, Morrisey is 1-15-16, plus-9; while in 13 home games he
is 4-10-14, plus-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morrisey has not
gone consecutive games without a point so far this season and brings a
four-game points streak into this game (0-5-5). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is 1-0-1, minus-2, in seven career games
against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark Scheifele might not be counted among the elite scorers
in the NHL, but he has been solid, dependable, and consistent in his 12 years
in Winnipeg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the previous seven
seasons leading into this one, only twice did he record fewer than 29 goals and
twice topped 30 (32 in 2016-2017 and 38 in 2018-2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In five of the last six seasons, he recorded
more than 40 assists, and in each of his last seven seasons he topped 60
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His consistency has been a major
factor in his high ranking in several statistical categories in franchise
history – third in goals (245), second in assists (355), third in points (600),
second in power play goals (64), fifth in power play points (145), first in
overtime goals (12), fourth in game-winning goals (36).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season so far adds another year to his record of consistent
production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through 26 games played, Scheifele
leads the team in goals (15), is fifth in points, is third in power play goals
(four), is fifth in power play points (six), is fourth in game-winning goals
(two), leads the team in shooting percentage (21.4), and leads all forwards in
ice time per game (21:01).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been especially
productive at home, going 9-6-15 and has five multi-point games in 13 contests
in Winnipeg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, the Jets have lost
just once in 11 games in which Scheifele had a goal and are 14-1-0 when he
recorded a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes into this
game 5-4-9, plus-5, in his last seven games overall and 4-2-6, plus-3, in his
last four home games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scheifele is
8-6-14, plus-2, in 16 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng4skePvMxioqgKwOH-SyF4q3uKeSbkbw59imOBFKaCc1pKs-NN5hLxg9yMWNMJjfTzNHk8iYbMVLBUnnHwnZu-3EOFdy7Ua1toWbEyF4kB25gueKSLIhcPVhNGVGZO1tH1fXgcSpuPcpOLQlQvxzqHpZwup5_4woZg-NDnPPQvJ1gscQxQ/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WPG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng4skePvMxioqgKwOH-SyF4q3uKeSbkbw59imOBFKaCc1pKs-NN5hLxg9yMWNMJjfTzNHk8iYbMVLBUnnHwnZu-3EOFdy7Ua1toWbEyF4kB25gueKSLIhcPVhNGVGZO1tH1fXgcSpuPcpOLQlQvxzqHpZwup5_4woZg-NDnPPQvJ1gscQxQ/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WPG.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jets are
second in the league in scoring defense on home ice (1.85 goals allowed per
game), trailing only Boston (1.67).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg’s penalty
kill is best in the league at home (90.5 percent), and they have had to deploy
the penalty kill just 2.38 times per game at home, tied (with the Caps) for
second-fewest in the league (St. Louis: 2.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No team has allowed fewer power play goals at home than the Jets (three
in 13 games).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Jets have
something to exploit, it might be their early offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 13 home games they have only seven goals
scored in the first periods of games (only four teams have scored fewer) and an
“even” goal differential in first periods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winnipeg has the
second-best home record by winning percentage when trailing first in games – 4-2-0/.667.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Boston is better – 3-0-1/.750.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blowouts have been
common in Winnipeg so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of their 13
home games, ten were decided by three or more goals, the Jets winning seven of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worth noting – all of the Jets’
losses on home ice to date have been by three or more goals.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDoOGU3KFmMU8IBRLKMkIIEt2vqtJxPzif-lvtqXdAzzs8quFBFKRzcsZO6oO3bqTG19X4rj68XZ-_lfy7xk3SpQJ2FSpAhKUmcgzwRWm_ITplJc2M3t3iHiSVuvXeuzaVGso75qsS7uhekUCXOqgdqpTs0lAGhXx0fNiVHIrFNvtiWYmQw/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDoOGU3KFmMU8IBRLKMkIIEt2vqtJxPzif-lvtqXdAzzs8quFBFKRzcsZO6oO3bqTG19X4rj68XZ-_lfy7xk3SpQJ2FSpAhKUmcgzwRWm_ITplJc2M3t3iHiSVuvXeuzaVGso75qsS7uhekUCXOqgdqpTs0lAGhXx0fNiVHIrFNvtiWYmQw/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two empty net
goals against Seattle on Friday was the second straight game in which the Caps
recorded two empty netters and the tenth time they posted two empty net goals
in franchise history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first
time they did it in consecutive games, and it was the second time they posted
two ENG in two games in the same season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first time was last year, when the Caps had a pair of empty netters
in a 5-2 win over Winnipeg on December 17, 2021; and the second instance was when
the Caps beat Pittsburgh, 6-3, on April 9, 2022.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since November 23<sup>rd</sup>,
the Caps are 6-2-1, tied for third in wins over that period, tied for third in
points (13), and fifth in points percentage (.722).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over that nine-game
span, the Caps have the second-best scoring defense (2.22 goals allowed per
game), trailing only Toronto (1.50).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington’s 87.0
percent penalty kill over those nine games is tied for third-best in the league
(with Pittsburgh).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have
finished games well over this stretch, posting a plus-5 third period goal
differential over those nine games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
plus-5 goal differential corresponds to the five empty net goals the Caps
scored, most in the league over that span.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Winnipeg</b></span>: Nate Schmidt</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Capitals fans will certainly remember Nate Schmidt, the
persistently cheerful defenseman who spent his first four seasons with the
Capitals before moving on to the Vegas Golden Knights in June 2017 in the
expansion draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending three
seasons with Vegas, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in October 2020 for
a third-round draft pick in 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After one
season with the Canucks, he was on the move again, traded to Winnipeg another
third round draft pick in 2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Upon leaving Washington, Schmidt settled into a role as a
mid-level contributor on the offensive side of the puck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In four of five seasons since leaving DC and
coming into this season, he posted more than 30 points four times for three teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has also been logging significant minutes
in those tree stops, averaging more than 20 minutes per game in each of his last
seven seasons, including this one (21:12 per game overall) while not averaging
as many as 20 minutes per game in any of his four seasons in Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Schmidt’s performance on offense to date this season (3-3-6,
plus-7, in 26 games) is lagging his performance in recent seasons, although the
Jets have been successful when he has produced, winning all three-game when he
scored a goal and posting a 5-0-0 record when he recorded at least one
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His production has picked up
recently, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his last eight
games he is 1-3-4, plus-6, although is ice is down (18:41 per game). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun Schmidt fact – since he came into the
league in 2013-2014, Schmidt is one of two defensemen to appear in at least 500
games and log 200 or fewer penalty minutes (100 PIMs in 553 games; Jaccob
Slavin has 74 PIMs in 534 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
seven career games against the Caps, Schmidt is 2-3-5, minus-2.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Charlie Lindgren</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Darcy Kuemper went down with an upper body injury in
the second period of a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on December 3<sup>rd</sup>,
one might have been forgiven for thinking things could not be worse for the
Caps (count us among that group), given all the injuries they had already
sustained this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to that the
fact that the team was going to put the goaltending responsibilities on the
shoulders of a goalie who, coming into this season, started just 28 games over
six seasons (half of those in 2017-2018 with the Montreal Canadiens) with a
record of 15-12-2, 2.74, .913, with two shutouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even that record was inflated somewhat by
his posting a 5-0-0, 1.22, .958 record with the St. Louis Blues last season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But it might have been what the Caps saw in his work last
season that convinced them to sign Lindgren to a three-year/$3.3 million
contract last July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His work since
Kuemper’s injury seems to validate, at least for the moment, the thinking of
the Caps’ front office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After stopping
seven of nine shots in 22 minutes of what was more or loss mop-up duty against
Calgary, Lindgren has been impressive, going 3-0-0, 1.34, .953.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a small population of games played, but
he is tied for the league lead in wins since his three-game winning streak
started, leads the league in goals against average (minimum: 100 minutes), and
leads the league in save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as impressive are the teams against which he posted this record,
holding the explosive Edmonton Oilers to two goals and holding Seattle, the league’s
eighth-ranked offense, to a single goal after doing the same to the Philadelphia
Flyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skaters in front of him have
done their job, not allowing more than 30 shots in any of the three wins, but
Lindgren has stepped up in a big way to fill a hole that the Caps might not
have been able to climb out of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lindgren
has never faced the Jets. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps will see more than a few familiar faces with the
Jets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to Schmidt, the Caps
are likely to see Brenden Dillon and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pleasantries will end there, these being
two teams that care not for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 27 meetings since 2011-2012, when the Jets moved to Winnipeg from
Atlanta, they have combined for 522 penalty minutes (263 for the Caps, 259 for
the Jets) and 176 power plays (86 for the Caps, 990 for the Jets).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability of the Caps to pierce the
effective penalty kill of the Jets might be where the result of this game will
be found.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 3 – Jets 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-5005007810523363462022-12-08T15:24:00.001-05:002022-12-09T08:39:45.279-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 29: Kraken at Capitals, December 9<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals complete their two-game season
series against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night in Washington, looking to
earn a split after dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to the Kraken in Seattle on
December 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps will
be coming home after posting a 3-2-1 record in their season-long six-game road
trip.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Kraken have not been able to sustain the momentum they
had when they beat the Caps last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The win over the Caps was a franchise-record seventh in a row, but since
then they have losses to the Florida Panthers (5-1) and the Montreal Canadiens
(4-1, both on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will hope
that the four-game road trip they start in Washington will regenerate that
momentum.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Kraken have been a very balanced team on the road
offensively this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seventeen of 20
skaters have goals, and 19 of them have points (Shane Wright, who was just loaned
to Team Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the only Kraken
skater without a point on the road). Three skaters are tied for the lead in
goals scored in road games – Matty Beniers, Andre Burakovsky, and Jared McCann
each have six goals going into Friday’s contest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">McCann might seem a bit odd to be in this group, but he is
something of an underrated goal scorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A former first round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks (24<sup>th</sup>
overall in 2014), his NHL career did not start in impressive manner, goal
scoring-wise, posting only nine goals in 69 games in his rookie year with the
Canucks in 2015-2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, after he was
traded with a second round draft pick in 2016 and fourth round draft pick in
2016 to the Florida Panthers for a fifth round draft pick in 2016 and Erik
Gudbranson, he posted ten goals in 97 games over two seasons with the Panthers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCann broke out the following year, even
while doing it for two teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
posting eight goals in 46 games for the Panthers n 2018-2019, he was traded to
Pittsburgh with Nick Bjugstad for a second round draft pick in 2019, a fourth round
draft pick in 2019, a fourth round draft pick in 2019, Derick Brassard, and
Riley Sheahan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 32 games to close the
2019-2019 season he had 11 goals for the Pens, finishing with a total of 19 in
78 games for the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Starting with that split 2019-2019 season, McCann posted 74
goals in 261 games through last season, his first with the Kraken, a 23-goal
pace per 82 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he would have 12
in 22 games overall and six in eight road games to date is unusual, but not
entirely out of bounds given his progress into his mid-20’s (he is 26 years
old).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does give one pause, though,
is that his 24.2 shooting percentage is likely unsustainable over the remainder
of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a career high of
15.1 percent in 2020-2021 with Pittsburgh and was a career 10.5 percent shooter
coming into this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCann is
4-6-10, even, in 18 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jordan Eberle is the grand old man of the Kraken among the
skaters, 32 years old and now in his 13<sup>th</sup> NHL season, his second
with Seattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has not slowed down all
that much, going 6-16-22, plus-4, overall this season and 1-9-10, plus-2, in
ten road games to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eberle is one of
those nuggets of trivia connected to the Caps, being the player taken by the
Edmonton Oilers one pick after the Caps selected Anton Gustafsson in the first
round of the 2008 draft, among the biggest busts in Caps draft history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 12 seasons before this one, Eberle demonstrated
himself to be a consistent and reliable, if not quite elite scorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He posted 20 or more goals seven times in
those dozen seasons and had 50 or more points in five of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had at least one power play goal in all 12
of those seasons (a high of ten in 2011-2012 with Edmonton) and had at least
one game-winning goal in 11 of those 12 seasons (a high of seven in 2017-2018
with the New York Islanders.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season, Eberle ranks fifth on the club with six goals,
second in assists with 16, and second in points with 22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has had a severe split in goal scoring,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 15 games at home, Eberle has five
goals on 27 shots (18.5 percent shooting) but just one goal on 24 shots in ten
games on the road (4.2 percent).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
thing that seems to have worked against him on the road is accuracy, or lack of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is third on the team in missed
shots (eight) in ten games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eberle has
been hot of late, posting points in eight of his last 12 games overall, going
5-9-14, plus-12 in the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
includes a four-point (all assists) effort in a 9-8 win over Los Angeles on
November 29<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eberle is
5-7-12, minus-10, in 32 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When one considers defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, the phrase “offensive
defenseman” does not spring to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming
into this season, Oleksiak had 25 goals and 89 points in 441 games, but he did
have 344 penalty minutes with three teams (Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Seattle).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a role, but it just wasn’t putting a
lot of marks on the score sheet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
here he is, 25 games into the season, tied for the team lead among defensemen
in goals scored (four, with Vince Dunn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, he has done while recording only 13 shots on goal (sixth among the
eight defensemen to play for the Kraken this season and fewest among those
playing in at least five games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 30.8
shooting percentage would seem unsustainable for even elite scorers, let alone
one who came into this season with a career 5.1 shooting percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Kraken are 3-1-0 when he scored a
goal, 6-1-0 when he posted at least one point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oleksiak’s offense has an opportunistic quality to it this
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he does have those four
goals in 21 games, he has shots on goal in only ten of those games, and only
three times has he recorded as many as two shots on goal this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While his offensive production is up, he has
not had other aspects of his game tempered by that new-found offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does have 18 penalty minutes in 21 games,
the 0.86 minutes per game ranking in the top half of his per-game season averages
over his career and is higher than his career average of 0.78 minutes per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes into this game without a point in
his last five games tying his longest streak of the season (five games to open
the season).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oleksiak is 1-2-3, plus-1,
in 13 career games against Washington.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhAe0kd3PcFWIdrnGJO3LVj8RKIND08oMSo5qpBl9YDgGMoXhJA2h1e3ZJh0eJM3qy80-ZiU2hI9LR_rSPTwehAVKdhfZw699sekkIPtHw-LV2jZyaYbfFK1AppwcIiFVs46j1KKCqrYzDCk9PMGOPxAbtVLPMgMk9kuM6xChuYtshJ2QWA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20SEA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhAe0kd3PcFWIdrnGJO3LVj8RKIND08oMSo5qpBl9YDgGMoXhJA2h1e3ZJh0eJM3qy80-ZiU2hI9LR_rSPTwehAVKdhfZw699sekkIPtHw-LV2jZyaYbfFK1AppwcIiFVs46j1KKCqrYzDCk9PMGOPxAbtVLPMgMk9kuM6xChuYtshJ2QWA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20SEA.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seattle has only
ten road games in the book this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only Columbus has played fewer (eight).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kraken have
been very healthy in road games this season, using only 20 skaters (the usual
game complement is 18), 14 of which have appeared in every road game to date.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seattle is the
worst team in the league in faceoff winning percentage on the road (40.5
percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plus-8 goal
differential the Kraken have in the second periods of games on the road this
season is best in the league, and despite playing four fewer road games, they
are tied with Pittsburgh for most second period goals scored (21).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seattle is 8-1-1
on the road this season, but five of those wins were by one goal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sbQmf72fhKrzjXZ8uqbQdOmo-q5kcH4ODwn5q_QCKKAbKUcu7rmRucKJVtXhE3oJy84Kx08x-3EZkTyt4CEY5YCM1kr0m-rWbHodlvT9gN0eB__jT9wC-uv2vasHjpPeSwO_sKuYnq_ydR_GEqoaVUKsNN_M1dkRFGGxPfFjPIZbgRfM_g/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sbQmf72fhKrzjXZ8uqbQdOmo-q5kcH4ODwn5q_QCKKAbKUcu7rmRucKJVtXhE3oJy84Kx08x-3EZkTyt4CEY5YCM1kr0m-rWbHodlvT9gN0eB__jT9wC-uv2vasHjpPeSwO_sKuYnq_ydR_GEqoaVUKsNN_M1dkRFGGxPfFjPIZbgRfM_g/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The six-game road
trip covered 5,485 miles, roughly the distance between Washington, DC, and
Ankara, Turkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Western Conference
teams, that’s almost a day trip.
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has
scored first in six of 12 home games to date with a 4-1-1 record; in six home
games in which they trailed first they are 3-3-0.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winning when
leading after two periods is the norm in the NHL, but there are still just four
teams with a worse winning percentage when leading after two periods at home than
the Caps (4-1-1/.667).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Anaheim has a
better winning percentage when trailing on home ice after two periods
(3-1-0/.750) than the Caps (3-3-0/.500).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Detroit has a
better net-penalty on home ice (plus-18, penalties drawn less penalties taken)
than the Caps (plus-11).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Seattle</b></span>: Daniel Sprong</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When a hockey fan hears the name Daniel Sprong, one might
thing, “oh yeah, an offense-oriented guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it is not unreasonable to think that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a skilled offensive player with a
shooter’s instincts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming into this season, he averaged 19 goals
per 82 games, never recording more than 15 in any season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, his 11.1 shooting percentage in six
seasons coming into this one does not shout “sniper!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also the matter of his having played
for four teams in six seasons in the NHL and still only 25 years old, yet never
having played in as many as 65 games in a season and never as many as 100 games
with any of the four teams for which he played (he played in 89 games for the
Caps, most of any team with which he played).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although some fans might believe he did not get a full and honest chance
to carve out a role with any of the previous three teams he played for – Pittsburgh,
Anaheim, and Washington – folks who are paid to make hockey personnel decisions
might have been more impressed with Sprong from afar than when they saw him
close up on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But perhaps this year is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether a factor or a passenger, the fact is
that the Kraken are 13-5-0 in the 18 games in which he has played to date,
2-2-3 in the games he sat out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
undefeated in those games in which he scored a goal (5-0-0) and undefeated in
games in which he posted at least one point (9-0-0).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has not been a liability when getting more
ice time, in fact far from it (7-3-0 when he logged ten or more minutes versus
6-2-0 when he skated less than ten minutes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, if you think he is a defensive liability, he has been on ice for
only three even strength goals against, third fewest among forwards playing in
at least ten games, and his plus-8 goal differential at even strength is tied
for third best among all forwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
does remain something of a streaky player, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He goes into this game having consecutive
no-point outings after going 3-4-7, plus-4, in his previous six games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sprong is 0-2-2, even, in four career games
against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Conor Sheary</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washington has been a good fit for Conor Sheary. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In five seasons before arriving in Washington,
Sheary averaged 18 goals per 82 game played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and
Buffalo Sabres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since arriving in DC,
that average jumped to 23 goals per 82 games in three seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season might turn out to be his best as
a goal scorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through 28 games Sheary
is 9-6-15, a 26-goal pace per 82 games that, should he keep up that pace and
play in as many games, would far eclipse the career high of 23 goals he had for
Pittsburgh in 2016-2017. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But there is an odd part about Sheary’s goal scoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has goals in nine games this season, but
the Caps are just 4-3-2 in them (8-9-2 in games in which he did not record a
goal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps do somewhat better when
he records points, going 7-4-3 in the 14 games in which he logged at least one
point. Success seems oddly disconnected with his level of offensive engagement,
the Caps having a record on 3-4-1 in games in which he recorded three or more
shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for a player with a reputation
for feistiness within the rules, the Caps record of 5-7-3 when he was credited
with one or more hits is discouraging, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is the ice time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When logging 17 or more minutes, the Caps are
2-7-4; they are 6-3-0 when he recorded less than 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether an odd coincidence or not, when
Sheary puts more marks on his line of the event summary, things have not worked
out as well for the Caps as one might expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sheary comes into this game 2-2-4, even, over his last four games, and
his only multi-point game of the season came against the Kraken in the 3-2
overtime loss on December 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is 3-1-4, plus-1, in two career games against Seattle. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washington has a chance to do something in this game that
they have not yet done this year – win a third consecutive game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Including the two-game winning “streak” on
which they currently find themselves, the Caps have won consecutive games four
times this season, but not a third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the Caps go into this game in perhaps a better frame of mind
with a record of 5-2-1 in their last eight games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are undefeated at home in games
decided by two goals (2-0).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will go
with that.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 4 – Kraken 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-65486794391825488052022-12-06T15:08:00.001-05:002022-12-06T15:09:19.852-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 28: Capitals at Flyers, December 7<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals wrap up their longest road trip of
the season when they visit the City of Brotherly Love to face the Flyers in a
rare Metropolitan Division contest for the Caps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps, whose injury list seems to grow by
the day, gutted out a 3-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night after
number one goalie Darcy Kuemper and defensemen Martin Fehervary were added to
the roster of the injured, while the Flyers are coming off a 5-3 win over the injury-plagued
Colorado Avalanche.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even with the win over the Avalanche, only five teams in the
league have fewer wins than the Flyers (nine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After starting the season with three straight wins, the Flyers are
6-12-5 since October 19<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their problems start with an inability to score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after putting up five goals against
Colorado, the Flyers have the worst scoring offense in the league over their 6-12-5
slump (2.30 goals per game).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eighteen of the 24 skaters to appear over the 23-game
stretch since October 19<sup>th</sup> have goals, suggesting a certain balance,
but only four of them have more than three goals over that stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin Hayes leads the club over that stretch
with eight goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news, though, is
the games played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hayes has appeared in
all 26 games for the Flyers to date after dressing for only 48 games last year,
missing 34 games over three different stretches with abdominal and adductor injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps this is the season that Hayes lives
up to the seven-year/$50.0 million contract he signed with the Flyers in June
2019 after Philadelphia obtained him in trade from the Winnipeg Jets for a
fifth-round draft pick earlier that month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hayes’ contract might have been thought odd at the time,
locking up a player for dollars and term who never posted more than 25 goals in
a season and recorded more than 50 points once in five seasons preceding the
trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In three seasons with the Flyers
to date he has not been a dominant performer in the offensive end of the ice,
going 45-58-103, minus-28, in 172 games coming into this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he is currently averaging more than
a point per game (8-19-27, minus-09, in 26 games), suggesting it is better late
than never to realize a level of production that reflects his contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hayes has not had consecutive games without a
point over his last 16 games (7-10-17, minus-10. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 34 career games against Washington, Hayes
is 7-13-20, minus-5.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Travis Konecny has appeared in only 17 of the 23 games of
the Flyers’ slump, but he leads the team in points per game over that span
(7-11-18).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he is averaging more
than a point per game over that stretch, he drags a minus-11 rating over those
23 games into Wednesday night’s contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has been on ice for 23 even strength goals against in that span,
fourth-most on the team, but first in goals against on-ice per game (1.35).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 20 games played overall this season, there
have been only three in which Konecny was not on ice for an even strength goal
against, and only once in 15 games since October 22<sup>nd</sup>, that being in
his last game, the win over Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Five times in 20 games he was on ice for more than one even strength
goal against, including five goals he saw up close and personal in a 5-2 loss
to Columbus on November 10<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether he is a cause or a symptom, Flyers fans have had to
take the bad with the good with Konecny this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except the good has not been all that
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unsurprisingly, given the Flyers’
struggles this season, the team is just 4-4-1 in the nine games in which he has
goals and 6-7-2 in the 15 games in which he has points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when heavily engaged in the offense, it
gets worse, the Flyers posting an 0-2-2 record in four games in which he had
five or more shots on goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Konecny
has been is effective on home ice, going 8-6-14, minus-3 (and a 24.2 shooting
percentage) in 11 games on home ice while going 2-6-8, minus-6 (a 6.9 shooting
percentage) in nine games on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is 6-4-10, minus-5, in 27 career games against the Caps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carter Hart has gone from promising goaltending prospect to
goalie-of-the-future to disappointment to…well, who knows what in his five
seasons in the NHL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a rookie in
2018-2019, he was 16-13-1, 2.83, .917, and finished ninth in Calder Trophy
voting for top rookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He followed that
up with a 24-13-3, 2.42, .914 season with one shutout in his sophomore
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared that Hart would
finally be that goaltender the Flyers have been searching for since the days of
Ron Hextall, who retired from the Flyers after the 1998-1999 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 9-11-5, 3.67, .877 season (one shutout) in
2020-2021 put those goalie-of-the-future thoughts on pause, especially when his
season was cut short late with a knee injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last season, his performance could not save the Flyers from a dismal
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did improve to 13-24-7, 3.16,
.905, with one shutout, his 3.16 goals against average ranking 37<sup>th</sup>
among 48 goalies with at least 1,500 minutes and his .905 save percentage
ranking 32<sup>nd</sup> in that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This season he has been one of the few bright spots for the
Flyers (well, brighter), going 8-7-4, 2.83, .911. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ranks 22<sup>nd</sup> in goals against
average among 50 goalies with at least 500 minutes played, and his .911 save
percentage ranks 20<sup>th</sup> in that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What seems to get lost in the noise of “is Hart the man” is the fact
that he is still just 24 years old and has fewer than 200 appearances in the
NHL to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, he is closing in on
the top-ten in wins in franchise history, his 70 wins to date trailing Brian Boucher
in tenth place (73).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is room for improvement,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 2.95 career goals against
average with the Flyers ranks 22<sup>nd</sup> among 38 goalies to have logged
at least 1,000 minutes with the club, although his .906 save percentage ranks
12<sup>th</sup> in that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
struggled over the past four weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since November 10<sup>th</sup>, Hart is 2-7-2, 3.50, .877, and only once
in that span allowing fewer than three goals (a 3-1 win over the New York
Islanders on November 29<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hart is 3-4-1, 2.91, .905, in eight career games against Washington.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoUemK-8tbQODCfKTpXR4PORLiVoco6GSHrophq5NPt0J-l1IlgYWx70oCqG0x6ndmfRMg8cjuILBYPrDwUOiwZrGvCGXxzQeEAwVtSnXAQd2uwvoY3SMPh54IXJ7lVdFFslAqy591waH-zfTeOS89TE_--vDUXeRaE9Q2ukOCiq5FyXsYA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20PHI.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoUemK-8tbQODCfKTpXR4PORLiVoco6GSHrophq5NPt0J-l1IlgYWx70oCqG0x6ndmfRMg8cjuILBYPrDwUOiwZrGvCGXxzQeEAwVtSnXAQd2uwvoY3SMPh54IXJ7lVdFFslAqy591waH-zfTeOS89TE_--vDUXeRaE9Q2ukOCiq5FyXsYA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20PHI.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Flyers rank 31<sup>st</sup>
in the league in scoring offense on home ice (2.57 goals per game); only
Arizona averages fewer (2.25).<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. Philadelphia’s home power play has not been powerful on home
ice; it ranks 30<sup>th</sup> in the league (16.3 percent), and it does not get
many chances (3.07 power plays per game/24<sup>th</sup> in the league).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their last
eight games on home ice, the Flyers scored a 5-on-5 goal once on six occasions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side,
four times in their last six home games they allowed three or more goals at
5-on-5.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No team has lost
more games by three or more goals on home ice than the Flyers this season (six,
tied with Columbus),</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTrwtj6RyrlCn6ZCn6V14lIvBR_P5ALVknaIcOoZq7EVS7wRJNi6N-kJNPhIq3ND3-MwKeiZVGMNA6YMSEArg3JaKojWPrEyAw1m5DgpPEyVLuLOhzA6ohjNTnkduunuE-_uTDhw8XWLYhBUuuCB9IQ4dVWJSOEzxZZrCsr9uKcmIAwlvdA/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTrwtj6RyrlCn6ZCn6V14lIvBR_P5ALVknaIcOoZq7EVS7wRJNi6N-kJNPhIq3ND3-MwKeiZVGMNA6YMSEArg3JaKojWPrEyAw1m5DgpPEyVLuLOhzA6ohjNTnkduunuE-_uTDhw8XWLYhBUuuCB9IQ4dVWJSOEzxZZrCsr9uKcmIAwlvdA/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be only
the sixth time in 28 games that the Caps face a Metropolitan Division opponent.
They are 2-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each of the three games that did not go to extra time were decided by
three or more goals – a 6-3 win over New Jersey, a 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh, and
a 5-1 loss to New Jersey in a rematch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They lost in a Gimmick to Carolina, 3-2, and beat the Flyers in overtime,
3-2, in their first meeting of the season.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have just
one win this season on the road by one goal; only Columbus, Dallas, and Pittsburgh
have fewer (none).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That win came on
Monday night, 3-2 over Edmonton.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has
three wins by three or more goals on the road this season; only three teams
have more – Dallas (six), New Jersey (five), and Pittsburgh (four).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have 3.73
power play chances per game on the road, fifth-most in the league, but their
16.1 percent power play on the road ranks 26<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington’s
minus-8 goal differential in third periods of road games is tied for fourth-worst
in the league (with Philadelphia; only Columbus (minus-9), St. Louis (minus-10),
and Anaheim (minus-13) are worse.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Philadelphia</b></span>: Tony DeAngelo</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a 27-year old in his seventh NHL season, defenseman Tony
DeAngelo has had an eventful career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taken with the 19th overall pick in the 2014 Entry Draft, the fifth
defenseman taken in that draft, by the Tampa Bay Lightning, DeAngelo never
suited up for the Bolts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In June 2016 he
was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for a second round pick in the 2016
draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six months later, on New Year Day
2017, he was suspended for three games for physical abuse of an official in a
4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Six months after that incident, he was traded to the New York Rangers
with a first round pick in the 2017 draft for goalie Antti Raanta and forward
Derek Stepan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He displayed a scoring
knack with the Rangers, going 19-73-92, minus-6, in 167 games with the Rangers,
but once more his lesser angels did him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Opening Night in 2020-2021 he took what his head coach, David Quinn,
called an “undisciplined” penalty and sat for the next two games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things settled down, but after a 5-4 overtime
loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in late January, he was reportedly involved in
<a href="https://theathletic.com/2357152/2021/01/31/tony-deangelo-waivers-new-york-rangers/">an altercation with Ranger goalie Alexandar Georgiev</a>.
That was enough for the Rangers, who waived him, the team pronouncing that
"<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/tony-deangelo-of-new-york-rangers-clears-waivers/c-320927558">he has played his last game for the Rangers</a><a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/tony-deangelo-of-new-york-rangers-clears-waivers/c-320927558">.</a>" <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">DeAngelo cleared waivers, but the team was true to its word,
and he did not play for the Rangers for the remainder of the 2020-2021
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In July 2021 he was signed as a
free agent by the Carolina Hurricanes, and he had a productive 2021-2022
season, going 10-41-51, plus-30, in 64 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it was not enough to keep the Hurricanes from trading DeAngelo with
a seventh round draft pick in 2022 to Philadelphia for a fourth round draft
pick in 2022, a third round draft pick in 2023, and a second round draft pick
in 2024.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he has not been as
productive with the Flyer as he was with Carolina, he does lead the Flyer
defensemen in goals (four) and points (13) in 25 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also leads the blueliners in ice time
(24:25 per game), shots on goal (57), power play goals (two), and power play
points (seven). If there is an unexpected stat, given his colorful history, it
is that he ranks last among seven defensemen in hits per 60 minutes
(1.37).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DeAngelo goes into this game on
a three-game points streak (1-2-3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is 1-5-6, minus-7, in nine career games against the Capitals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: Evgeny Kuznetsov</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe it’s the cheesesteaks, or perhaps the soft pretzels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever it is, Philadelphia has been a destination
that has been kind to Evgeny Kuznetsov in his career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite playing in only 17 games in Philadelphia,
tied for 27<sup>th</sup> in Caps history, Kuznetsov is tied for 18<sup>th</sup>
in all time goals on the road against the Flyers (four), tied for sixth in
assists (11), and tied for 11<sup>th</sup> in points (15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His six career power play points in
Philadelphia is tied for 11<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not since his first two career games in Philadelphia has Kuznetsov gone
consecutive games without a point.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It would be nice if he could find some of that scoring
magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 26 games to date, Kuznetsov
has only three goals on 64 shots, a 4.7 shooting percentage than is, by far, the
lowest of his career (11 goals on 127 shots/8.7 percent in 2014-2015).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has yet to record a goal on the road this
season in 14 games, part of a very divided home/road split this season – 3-9-12,
plus-3, in 12 home games and 0-6-6, minus-9, in 14 road games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One reason for the lack of goal scoring is that
his shots on goal in road games has dried up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After posting 30 shots on goal in his first nine games on the road, he
has only seven in his last five road contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But here is the bizarre part of his road scoring to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuznetsov has single assists in six road
games, and the Caps are 1-3-2 in those games, the only win coming Monday night
in the 3-2 victory over Edmonton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice
time has not been kind to him on the road, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In six games in which Kuznetsov skated more
than 19 minutes, the Caps are 1-4-1, the lone win once again was the 3-2 win over
Edmonton on Monday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And another
odd Kuznetsov fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is no secret that
faceoffs are a part of the game with which he has challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in 12 games in which he was 50 percent or
better on draws overall, the Caps are 5-5-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the 14 games in which he was under 50 percent, Washington is
6-6-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuznetsov is 5-19-24, minus-3, in
33 career games against the Flyers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Flyers have been disappointing this season, and what is
worse, they are missing some important pieces – Cam Atkinson (upper body), Sean
Couturier (back), and James van Riemsdyk (finger) are injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not “Capitals” level of injury absences,
but on a team that is not particularly deep in talent, they are keenly felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question for the Caps is whether they
have it in them to go for the jugular, jump on the Flyers early, and take their
fans out of the game before the cheesesteaks get cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think they will answer that question in
the affirmative.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 5 – Flyers 2</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14971098.post-68486877011102424522022-12-04T18:08:00.000-05:002022-12-04T18:08:11.344-05:00The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Game 27: Capitals at Oilers, December 5<p></p><p><b>The Peerless Prognosticator is <i>ON THE AIR!!!
</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Washington Capitals close out the Alberta portion of their
schedule when they visit Rogers Place in Edmonton to take on the Oilers on Monday
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps lost the first game of
the Alberta tour, a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will face an Edmonton team that is 4-1-0
in their last five games after a difficult ten-game stretch over which they
were 3-7-0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Oilers are a team known more for a prolific offense more
than they are for a stout defense, but it is one that lacks a certain balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oilers are the only team in the league
with two 40-point players through Saturday’s games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they were the only team in the
league with any 40-point players through Saturday’s games – Connor McDavid
(21-26-47) and Leon Draisaitl (17-25-42).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>McDavid, who has had five 100-point seasons in the last six years (and
surely would have had the sixth if the 2019-2020 season had not been curtailed
due to COVID – he was 34-63-97 in 64 games), is on a pace for a career season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his current pace of production, he would
finish the regular season 69-85-154.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
goals, assists, and points would be career bests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">McDavid already has seven three-or-more point games this
season, most in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is
a double-edged sword.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oilers won all
seven games in which McDavid recorded three or more goals, which is not
surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it does mean that the
Oilers are just 7-11-0 when he does not reach the three-point threshold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he does not record a point, which
has happened only four times in 25 games on his resume this season, the Oilers
are 1-3-0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oddly enough, three of the
four instances in which he failed to record a point came on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oilers also ask a lot of McDavid in terms
of ice time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his 25 games to date, he
skated more than 25 minutes four times and skated less than 20 minutes only
four times. Those are numbers more likely to be logged by a top pair defenseman
with special teams responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
11 career games against the Caps, McDavid is 7-9-16, plus-4.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl, who would be a superstar of the
first order if not playing for the Oilers, continues piling up points of his
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came into this season having
posted more than 100 points in three of his last four seasons and likely would
have had the fourth had not the 2020-2021 season been shortened by COVID issues
(he was 31-53-84 in 56 games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Draisaitl
is among the most efficient goal scorers of this era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over his last five seasons, he has 196 goals
on 979 shots, a 20.0 shooting percentage, best among all NHL skaters to record
more than 50 shots over the period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is a bit above that mark so far this season with 17 goals on 84 shots (20.2
percent).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Draisatil also has a knack for scoring game-winning
goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The volume of goals he scores
contributes to that, but it remains that he led the league in game winners in
two of the last three seasons coming into this one and currently leads the
league in that statistic (six).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
difference between McDavid’s scoring in bunches and Draisaitl is the latter’s
consistent production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Draisaitl has
goals in 16 games this season but only one multi-goal game (two in a 5-4 win
over Chicago on November 30<sup>th</sup>, and yes, the second one was the
game-winner).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been held off the
score sheet entirely only three times in 25 games (all of them Oiler
losses).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other end, he has 11
multi-point games, the Oilers having a 8-3-0 record in those contests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 12 career games against the Caps,
Draisaitl is 6-5-11, plus-8.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Oilers get balanced production from their defensemen –
four of the eight to dress this season have goals, and six have points – but they
do not have a dominant producer from the blue line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been since 2008-2009 that the Oilers
had a defenseman with 50 or more points, but Tyson Barrie came into this season
with two consecutive 40-plus point seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He currently leads the Oiler defense with 15 points, and he is tied for
the team lead among defensemen in goals with four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barrie’s next goal will be his 100th in a
12-year NHL career over which he played for three teams, Colorado and Toronto
being his stops before arriving in Edmonton in 2020-2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barrie is well-acquainted with the offensive
side of the position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his nine full
seasons in the league coming into this one he topped 40 points six times and recorded
more than 50 point three times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is on
a pace to challenge the 50-point mark through 25 games this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Barrie’s production has been tied to team success this
season, the Oilers going 9-3-0 in the dozne games in which he has points and
wins in all three games in which scored goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has stubbed his toe lately though, going 10-2-3, minus-1, over his
last nine games after going 3-9-12, plus-3, over his first 16 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 13 career games against Washington, Barrie
is 1-6-7, minus-4.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFeBChfJZSTmkM23Q6DNjiDTOIs-ojmWaqKutfTkjb4dMyR2YcOBnHnAbkwaqKCYR0Oxk1JL6S-uga9cO98en1SaWa0F55Qe6gOl-0--GGmyyjn5oqOIS6C2Cnl_JOfISdCRTKlNCZHSB2MikIy8U0I2FZD-IYTvrkyfRTxbAwp-M6QxV2Q/s432/5%20random%20facts%20EDM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFeBChfJZSTmkM23Q6DNjiDTOIs-ojmWaqKutfTkjb4dMyR2YcOBnHnAbkwaqKCYR0Oxk1JL6S-uga9cO98en1SaWa0F55Qe6gOl-0--GGmyyjn5oqOIS6C2Cnl_JOfISdCRTKlNCZHSB2MikIy8U0I2FZD-IYTvrkyfRTxbAwp-M6QxV2Q/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20EDM.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edmonton is 11-1-0
when scoring four or more goals this season, 3-10-0 when posting three or fewer
goals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things happen when
the Oilers are on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 7.23
combined goals per game for Edmonton and their opponents at Rogers Place rank
third in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oilers have
only ten first period goals in 13 games on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they have 22 second period goals, most in
the league on home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An indicator that
the Oilers offense is largely offset by their “defense” – Edmonton has only two
wins this season by three or more goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only Anaheim has fewer (none).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only four times this
season have the Oilers taken a lead into the first intermission (3-1-0).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Philadelphia has fewer games with a lead
after 20 minutes (2-0-0)</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CHxJWl27ZezTQbiPZjDqHYhNvKkbbfxSjcseSWXlV4xjz4SVPhVDLaoMOdRMSImzPVfeNTvQ-nZFIQuYfoadA3GHsD7MeN6lGvbwjQOVKgh2ujxg4NVQ60GwN3Wg7NnozlZt8eMDeN_dkW6VcHNC_qXsbKDvtxViUndSGmyOyDwoCGHD0Q/s432/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CHxJWl27ZezTQbiPZjDqHYhNvKkbbfxSjcseSWXlV4xjz4SVPhVDLaoMOdRMSImzPVfeNTvQ-nZFIQuYfoadA3GHsD7MeN6lGvbwjQOVKgh2ujxg4NVQ60GwN3Wg7NnozlZt8eMDeN_dkW6VcHNC_qXsbKDvtxViUndSGmyOyDwoCGHD0Q/s16000/5%20random%20facts%20WSH.png" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps are one
of four teams without a win this season when trailing after one period
(0-6-2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arizona, Florida, and Dallas
are the others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington is just
3-2-4 in one-goal decisions overall this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have more wins by three or more goals
(five).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Caps have faced
only 2.96 shorthanded situations per game this season, sixth-fewest in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington has
recorded 353 missed shot attempts this season, third-most in the league.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outshooting
opponents has not mattered for the Caps so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are 5-5-1 in games when they outshot opponents. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Peerless’ Players to Ponder</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Edmonton</b></span>: Stuart Skinner</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It has hardly mattered who was in goal for the Oilers so far
this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack Campbell is 7-6-0 in
13 starts, and Stuart Skinner is 7-5-0 in 12 starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Campbell’s numbers seem consistent with,
or even worse than expected for a goalie with a near-.500 record (4.12 goals
against average, .872 save percentage), Skinner has a 2.91 goals against
average and a .914 save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
difference is shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Campbell has faced
32.2 shots per 60 minutes, while Skinner has faced 33.8 shots per 60 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might not seem like a lot, but it is
almost a five percent difference per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That Skinner, the fifth goalie taken in the 2017 Entry Draft (third
round/78<sup>th</sup> overall), would have the superior numbers is a bit
surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is more surprising given
that he has already equaled his career high in starts (12) and appearances (13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has already surpassed the six wins he
posted last season, his third in the NHL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Skinner has been a more efficient goalie at home so far,
posting a 2.68 goals against average and a .919 save percentage in seven
appearances in Edmonton while recording a 3.18 goals against average and .908
save percentage in six appearances on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He comes into this game on a personal three game winning streak, but
what is odd about it is that he stopped just 76 of 86 shots in those wins, a
.884 save percentage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skinner has one
career appearance against the Caps, stopping 26 of 31 shots in the 5-4 loss to
the Caps last November 7<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>
</b></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Washington</b></span>: John Carlson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Carlson is having an interesting year, and not in an
altogether good way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an offensive
defenseman this season, he is tied for second in goals among blueliners (eight,
with Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin) and is shooting a career-best 11.4 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the good part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, he has only six assists in
20 games after posting 54 in 78 games last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a minus-11 rating, which at this pace
would obliterate his career worst in this category (minus-15 in 2011-2012).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only eight of 273 defensemen to play this
season have worse ratings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been
on ice for 28 even strength goals, which would not be terrible but for the fact
that he has played in only those 20 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has had at least one even strength goal scored by opponents while on
ice in 13 of those 20 games, and the Caps are 4-7-2 in those games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only six defensemen have a worse even strength
on-ice goal differential than Carlson’s minus-12. And while he has those eight
goals, he also has 37 missed shots, third-highest among defensemen in the
league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 17 career games against
Edmonton, Carlson is 1-14-15, plus-3.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"><b>In the end…</b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Caps are having their mid-season swoon a month early,
and that is a bad sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Halloween,
they are 5-8-4, their five wins tied for 26<sup>th</sup> in the league, their
14 points tied for 24<sup>th</sup>, and their .412 points percentage ranking 27<sup>th</sup>
in the league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t been able to
score, their 2.53 goals per game over that span ranking 30<sup>th</sup> in
scoring offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this doesn’t change
soon, the Caps will be playing the second half of the season with little to
play for other than draft position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
defensively-challenged team such as Edmonton would be a good place to find
their scoring touch.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Capitals 4 – Oilers 3</b></span></span></p> <br /><p></p>The Peerlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293195514553989436noreply@blogger.com0