Next up on our Washington Capitals end of season player report cards we wrap up the season of valuable fourth line center Nic Dowd.
Dowd dealt with injuries like the majority of the team but still had his best career season with he Capitals and in the league. Dowd finished with 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 65 games. The goals and points are career highs for Dowd. He averaged 13:21 minutes of ice time and had 61 blocks and 136 hits while winning 50.8 percent of his face off draws.
Dowd finished with a 50 percent Corsi For percentage, a 52.21 percent Expected Goals For percentage, and a 52.96 percent High Danger Chances For percentage, via Natural Stat Trick.
Before the season ended Dowd appeared on the radio show Grant and Danny on 106.7 The Fan where he talked about the team’s struggles:
"“It’s hard to say. On a systematic level, we just are having big, big breakdowns that are either causing our goalies to have to come up with really big saves, breakaways, two-on-ones, like Grade-A opportunities right in the slot, just mental breakdowns…”"
Dowd then added:
"“It’s honestly been a huge mix of different issues. It’s kind of hard for me to point a finger at any one thing, but it’s just reoccurred for the last like 30-something games. We have not played with a lead in so long and kept a lead, and it’s just been constantly digging ourselves out of holes. Regardless of playing a team high in the standings or low in the standings, it’s just impossible to do in the NHL.”"
Grade A: I’ve had a lot of fun watching Nic Dowd over the last five years. He’s one of the best bottom six centers in the game. He could’ve gotten an A plus if his face off win percentage was a little higher but an A for a career season is still pretty good.