Grading the Capitals performance through the break

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The All Stark break is here and after the festivities are over the Washington Capitals will have a bye week with no game until Feb. 11 against the Boston Bruins. The Caps sit at fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 27-20-6 record for 60 points.

They are two points behind the New York Rangers for third and lead the Pittsburgh Penguins by three points. They currently occupy the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today, they’d face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.

Let’s grade the Capitals from special teams, goaltending, offense and defense.

Conor Sheary, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Penalty Kill

The Capitals are ranked eighth in the NHL in penalty kill percentage with a success rate of 81.4 percent. The Caps had eight penalty minutes the other night against the Columbus Blue Jackets but killed off the lone penalty of the game.

The game prior to that which was a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs saw the Caps go 3 for 4 on the penalty kill. In the win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the PK went two for three.

Grade B: The penalty kill isn’t too shabby thus far this season. It’s important they continue to shut things down.

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