Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Coyotes at Capitals Early Game

November 11, 2018, 10:33 AM ET [1 Comments]
Marcus Boutilier
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The 7-7-1 Arizona Coyotes make their only visit to DC today as the 7-5-3 Washington Capitals look to get back on the winning page losing 2-1 on Friday night to Columbus. It’s the last of a 5 game home stand for the Caps who are 2-1-1 so far and the club will head out on a five game road trip starting in Minnesota on Tuesday night.

In the game against Columbus special teams play was the difference as all goals where scored on the power play for both teams. In today’s game in may again prove to be vital as both squads present differing strengths. Washington’s power play has fallen to 32.7% behind the Winnipeg Jets at 34.8% as it’s cooled off lately. Registering a power play goal in each of the last two games is good but going 2 for 11 in those games is not but the Capitals power play is still 2nd in the NHL and leads the league with 17 PPG’s.

Contrast that with an Arizona penalty kill that sits at number one in the NHL killing off an astounding 91.5% of their penalties as they’ve allowed only 4 power play goals against in 47 opportunities so far this season. They have an incredible 9 shorthanded goals scored already with Michael Grabner and Brad Richardson each with 3 so the Capitals will have to be mindful as they have already given up a shorthanded goal to Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Arizona sits second last in goals for as a team this season with only 40 goals registered in the 15 games played. Clayton Keller leads Coyotes scorers with 11 points and is tied for the lead with Brad Richardson in goals with 5.

Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was signed to an eight year $66M extension last summer as the steady 27 year old will continue to be the rock on the Arizona blue line through 2026-27 as the new deal won’t kick in until next season. He has played 591 games and has 300 points in his career including over 100 goals. The 2009 1st round pick has 2 G’s and 10 points this season and leads Arizona skaters in ice time averaging 23:52 minutes per game. While only recorded 2 goals so far he has fired 39 shots at the net.

Washington continues to be paced by Evgeny Kuznetsov’s 20 points and Alex Ovechkin’s 12 goals. Ovechkin is now three back of league leader David Pastrnak of Boston Bruins. Braden Holtby has been steadily getting better and you could argue he was the best Capital on the ice the last two games. He holds a .929 SV% over his last 5 starts and while he’d like back a couple of goals against he cannot be blamed for the Capitals inconsistent play so far. Holtbeast has made some incredible saves to keep the Caps in games.





Brooks Orpik remains on LTIR and John Carlson is a game time decision as he practiced on Sunday morning after missing the game against Columbus. Kuznetsov did not skate at practice (personal) but is expected to be in the lineup Sunday.

Not the early start time of 5PM EST at Capital One Arena.

Rock The Red
Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Marcus Boutilier
» Capitals back to the grind -Niskanen 1st casualty of cap 2019, Hagelin back
» Game 7 - Caps can become only team to make second round for 5 years running
» Can Caps clinch on the Road? Game 6
» Best of three - Game 5 Tonight Caps better TakeWarning - No Oshie
» Game 4 - Caps need to be better. Lineup Changes announced