Brian Sickles: I Crunched the Numbers: Stats for Caps vs Pens through Six Games

Vanecek starting tonight, no? Does your prediction stay the same with him in net and Ovie/Carlson out?

Vanecek starting tonight, no? Does your prediction stay the same with him in net and Ovie/Carlson out?
- CooCooKaChoo

Tough Call! I'll say 4-3 Caps now ha

I laughed at CDS being 2-0-0 vs Washington but has the worst goalie stats out of them all.

You liking mantha or vrana better? As a pens fan we’ve only saw mantha once so far but damn we don’t miss vrana. He’s put up more goals than anyone since the TDL and that’s playing in Detroit.

Great article.

I laughed at CDS being 2-0-0 vs Washington but has the worst goalie stats out of them all.

You liking mantha or vrana better? As a pens fan we’ve only saw mantha once so far but damn we don’t miss vrana. He’s put up more goals than anyone since the TDL and that’s playing in Detroit.
- 10inchTerror

Another great game last night. Tom Wilson to the rescue! I will take the point and clinching the playoffs. Feels like Guentzel scores against use every other game haha. Now its time to get healthy and maybe ride Samsonov for at least four of the six remaining games.

As far as Mantha vs Vrana. I have always loved Vrana. He is just as awesome off the ice as he is on. I am very happy to see him tearing it up in Detroit. I am quite impressed with Mantha so far. The 2nd line of Mantha-Backstrom-Oshie is consistently generating quality chances every game.

Another great game last night. Tom Wilson to the rescue! I will take the point and clinching the playoffs. Feels like Guentzel scores against use every other game haha. Now its time to get healthy and maybe ride Samsonov for at least four of the six remaining games.

As far as Mantha vs Vrana. I have always loved Vrana. He is just as awesome off the ice as he is on. I am very happy to see him tearing it up in Detroit. I am quite impressed with Mantha so far. The 2nd line of Mantha-Backstrom-Oshie is consistently generating quality chances every game.
- Brian Sickles

Although Mantha is certainly very good the Capitals already have lots of players like him. They bulked up their team but acquiring him but are a bit less well-rounded now, as they do not have any players quite like Vrana. From another Pens' fan perspective I can say that the Pens' defense honestly did not have an answer for Vrana. I am very glad that he is no longer a Capital .

There are certain traits that are hard to find together. Such as The size and physicality of Wilson while also being a good hockey player not just a 1 dimensional goon. The speed and sniping ability of vrana is also pretty uncommon. You see a lot of fast players out there that get so many break always but just put it right in the goalies cheat every shot.

Should be another good game tonite!

Although Mantha is certainly very good the Capitals already have lots of players like him. They bulked up their team but acquiring him but are a bit less well-rounded now, as they do not have any players quite like Vrana. From another Pens' fan perspective I can say that the Pens' defense honestly did not have an answer for Vrana. I am very glad that he is no longer a Capital .
- PghPens668771

Call me crazy here is what I see happening in the future in no particular order

1. Seattle Kraken Select T.J Oshie in expansion draft

2. Mantha takes over T.J Oshie "bumper" role on the team for the PP and essentially just assumes and replaces his ice time. By no means am I saying Mantha can replicate T.J Oshie's success in Washington but from what ive seen so far from Mantha, he is skilled and talented enough to have the opportunity to put up similar numbers.

3. Daniel Sprong becomes a permanent fixture in the capitals lineup. Possibly on the second line making it a Sprong-Backstrom-Mantha line. Sprong has shown he can breakout up the ice almost as fast as Vrana, and certainly has the shooting ability to put the puck in the back of the net. Vrana is one of the best players in the league in goals/60 min at 5v5, literally. But Sprong is also quite capable.

4. With money saved from Vrana/Panik trade and Oshie expansion draft selection, the Capitals can now afford to pay and extend Ovechkin for four more years. Him and Backstrom retire together after Ovechkin breaks Gretzkys goal record at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season.