The Washington Capitals are at the halfway point of their season. Before their 1 p.m. matchup with the New York Rangers, the second in 24 hours, they hold a record of 20-14-6. Micah Blake McCurdy’s projections from Saturday morning give the Capitals a 19.2 percent chance of making the playoffs. This is their lowest forecasted chance so far in the season. The Capitals’ playoff chances are now slightly below the 19.3 percent chance predicted entering October 25th, when the team was 1-3-1. Here’s the Washington Capitals updates and our weekly recap for January 7th-13th.
Washington Capitals Updates: Jan. 7-13
On-Ice Results
Washington only had three games this week and continued its season-long pattern of winning close or losing badly. The Capitals managed to end the week with a winning 2-1 record despite being outscored 9-8 overall. In both wins, the Capitals had to score twice in the final 20 minutes of action. Washington only held a lead for about 15 minutes of combined gameplay.
Washington started the week with a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings, who had the best away record in the NHL at the time. The teams were tied at both intermissions–scoreless in the first period, then 2-2 in the second. The Kings regained the lead early in the third period with a power-play goal, their second of the game. The Capitals’ fourth line was responsible for three of the Capitals’ four goals, including both the tying and winning goals in the third period.
The Capitals had a three-day break before their next opponent, the Seattle Kraken. The Kraken entered the game on a 7-game winning streak which they easily extended, winning 4-1. Forward Max Pacioretty scored Washington’s only goal in the contest, assisted by Alex Ovechkin for the captain’s sixth straight game with a point. Seattle has gone on to set a franchise-high with a nine-game winning run. Impressive for a young franchise.
Washington’s early afternoon game against the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers ended the week on a high note. Despite giving up the first goal of the game for the 25th time, the Capitals won 3-2. T.J. Oshie scored what became the game-winning goal with 11:31 to play. It was the longest period of time the Capitals led in a game since January 5th. The Caps were able to withstand two goals from Norris Trophy winning defenceman Adam Fox.
Washington Capitals Updates: Injury Recap
The past week was another active one on the Washington Capitals’ injured reserve list. Two players were activated and played, while a few others sat out for the first time this season and two others are still progressing. Forward Sonny Milano and defenceman Rasmus Sandin are still sidelined. Sandin’s ailment, originally an illness, is now reported as an upper-body injury.
Charlie Lindgren came off the injured list on the 9th and started on Saturday, earning the first star of the game with 25 saves. Oshie got back into action against the Kraken, playing some of the lowest minutes among the forwards. He finished the game with a -2 goal differential. He rebounded well, scoring the game-winner mentioned above over the Rangers.
Ovechkin missed four of five practices for the week and did not play on Saturday. This was his first missed game of the season. He has been dealing with an injury to his left leg suffered late in the loss to the Hurricanes last Friday. Tom Wilson also missed some practice early in the week and he sat out for Thursday’s game. His nose got broken during the Los Angeles Kings game and it needed to be re-set. Since returning to the ice, he has been wearing a full-facial guard.
Main photo by: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
