Washington Capitals Playoffs: Observations From The First Two Games

The Bruins Have Been The Better Team…On Paper

Luckily for the Washington Capitals, games are not played on paper. So far this series the Capitals have a 46.02 Corsi%, they are on the right side of the scoring chances having a percentage of 50.49%, however they have a 32.43% high danger attempts percentage and all that equals a 35.83% xGF percentage.

When it’s in ink it looks like the Bruins have dominated this series. I would argue the Capitals look pretty good to this point. The Capitals have led for 25:49 of this series while the Bruins have led for just 9:47. The score has been tied for 92:44.

If you know me or have followed me for a while you will know I enjoy watching some advanced stats. While I do look at these numbers a lot and put a lot of stock in these stats I also point out that you can’t always look at these and say they tell the story exactly. I would say they do not tell the story of this series so far.

Boston has looked good so far, but the Capitals have as well. If nothing else the Caps don’t look nearly as bad as some of those numbers do. This also ties into my next observation.

Craig Anderson Has Look Good

If you forced most teams to start their third string (maybe even fourth string if you count Lundqvist) goalie it would not be good news. Anderson however, came into Game 1 and stopped 21 of 22. He then followed that up by saving 44 of 48 in Game 2. The latter coming in a losing effort, however.

Anderson has been good. That would be where I stop as I don’t believe he has had to be great. The numbers we just looked at I think would back that up. While Boston leads pretty heavily in shot attempts and high danger attempts, they are just that, attempts. The scoring chances are actually in the Capitals favor, just slightly, but in their favor nonetheless.

Anderson is making the stops which is all you care about. But even in saving 44 of 48 like he did in Game 2 he hasn’t had to stand on his head like you might think he would have to if you just saw those numbers without watching the games.

Anderson has been good. The better word I would use for Anderson’s performance so far is admirable. On this Capitals team all season he was or is a third or fourth string goalie. He has had very little playing time, and he looks like a no doubt NHL starter. Even looking better than the guys ahead of him on the depth chart.

I may be in the minority here, but I don’t think he has been great or has had to be great, at least not yet. He’s just been solid. Quite frankly, that’s all you can ask for, and it’s proving to be enough, for now.