Washington Capitals: Breaking down the next three games
The Washington Capitals dropped another overtime game on Wednesday night, this time to the Detroit Red Wings. Despite the loss, the team is still off to a terrific start of 4-0-3. The Caps have yet to lose a game in regulation but all three of their overtime games have resulted in losses but at least one point out of two.
The Caps earning a point in seven straight games to open the season is tied for the second longest season opening streak in franchise history. In 2011-12, the Caps opened the season with seven straight wins.
Despite losing in overtime last night, Alex Ovechkin scored career goal number 738 for his eighth goal of the season which leads the NHL. Evgeny Kuznetsov added his fifth goal of the season and now he needs just four to tie all of last season. Both goals came on the power play which was the first time they struck on the man advantage since opening night.
Let’s take a look at how the Caps will end the month of October and open up November.
Oct. 29 vs. Arizona Coyotes
On Friday night we’ll see Jay Beagle and Travis Boyd suit up for their new team the Arizona Coyotes who as of this writing are still searching for their first win. Their game is the second of a back to back after they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning the night before. The Coyotes are 0-6-1 with their only point coming in a shootout loss to the improving Buffalo Sabres.
Nov. 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning
The Caps short two game homestand ends on Friday as well as a run of six home games in the month of October. This is a rematch from the second game of the season, one in which the Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-1 in overtime thanks to Steven Stamkos.
The back to back defending Stanley Cup champions have gotten off to a bit of a slow start as their record as of this writing is 4-3-1, good for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Despite the slow start, the Bolts have been good of late having won two in a row.
Three players have lower body injuries which includes Gemel Smith (out the first two weeks), Zach Bogosian (out 4-6 weeks) and the biggest blow Nikita Kucherov (out 8-10 weeks).
The Lightning are actually coming off a 5-1 win over the Coyotes. Alex Killorn scored twice while Steven Stamkos struck on the power play. Alex Barre-Boulet made it 3-0. Lawson Crouse scored for the Coyotes and Andrej Sustr put it away for the Bolts.
The Lightning also beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. They’re off for the full weekend before they host the Capitals. The Lightning and Caps are always an entreating matchup and the Caps hope to dethrone the back to back Stanley Cup champs.
Nov. 4 at Florida Panthers
The Caps round out their trip to the Sunshine State by taking on the Florida Panthers who believe it or not have a better record than the Lightning. In fact they are currently undefeated as of this writing at 7-0-0. This Florida road test will be good for the Caps this early in the season.
The Panthers are coming off a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins where Mason Marchment, Fetu Luostarinen, Anthony Duclair and Owen Tippett all scored. Although it looks like it’s all sunshine and rainbows for the Panthers there is a little bit of drama.
Amid carryover from the Chicago Blackhawks scandal, head coach Joel Quenneville decided to step down after a meeting with Gary Bettman. This comes on the cover up of a sexual assault scandal from the 2010 Cup winning team. Taking over the head coaching duties is Andrew Brunette.
The Panthers will take part in a back to back this week on the road before their Thursday home game against the Capitals. First up they face the Detroit Red Wings who just got an overtime win against the Caps two nights ago. They’ll conclude their road trip tomorrow night against the Boston Bruins.
light. Trending. Washington Capitals recall Brett Leason, place T.J. Oshie on IR
That’s the road ahead for the Caps. It all begins tonight when they take on the Coyotes.