The Washington Capitals used to be one of the most feared teams you could possibly face on the road. From fans rocking the red, to a sellout streak well before the pandemic, to fans coming back in full force, there’s nothing like attending a game at Capital One Arena. Lately though fans have been going home disappointed from a lackluster performance by the Caps.
At home the Caps are 12-10-5. This calendar year they’ve won just TWO home games, both in overtime. Overall their record is 2-7-1 which includes five straight regulation losses. So what’s been up with them at home?
On the road the team is slightly better but maybe some reverse trends might work. After all their last two losses came on the road. Their home losing skid is their longest in nearly 15 years. Their last victory came on Jan. 22nd in an overtime win over the Ottawa Senators before that same team got revenge on the Caps on Super Bowl Sunday.
T.J. Oshie told Mike Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com in his Rinkside Update:
"“I think it all comes down to effort, to work ethic, and taking pride in having our barn be a place where other teams don’t want to come and play. I don’t think we’ve ever had a five-game losing skid at home, at least not since I’ve been here. So we’ve got to take a little more pride in that. It starts with effort and really just the will to beat other teams in individual battles, and in turn that comes into full team play and controlling the puck a little bit more, and making it hard to come in here and get two points from us.”"
Tonight won’t be easy with the Toronto Maple Leafs in town. They’re coming off a 10-7 win on Saturday night over the Detroit Red Wings. All 10 goals came on even strength and it was the first 10 goal game by an NHL team in over four years. The Maple Leafs had zero power play opportunities in the game but imagine if they did.
"It all comes down to effort, to work ethic. And taking pride in having our barn a place where other teams don't want to come and play."@TJOshie77 joins Rinkside Update to talk slowing down the recent struggles at home.#CapsLeafs | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/dE5V3soi7L
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 28, 2022
During the last five home games, the Caps have been outscored 19-9. They haven’t played complete hockey games. And they haven’t had the drive or heart the fans paid money to see. Tonight though would be a good opportunity against one of the league’s high flying teams to change their fortunes.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington.