Grading Capitals offense against Sharks

We are back with another Washington Capitals report card after their win over the San Jose Sharks. After grading the goaltending it’s time to grade the offense.

The Capitals offense generated chances throughout the game. It wasn’t until the third period that those shots turned into goals.

In the first period the Caps outshot the Sharks 12-10. In the second period they outshot them again 13-11. Caps had the edge in shots in the third period as well 17-10 to have an overall advantage 42-31.

The Caps trailed 1-0 entering the third period. But that third period saw them heat up. They worked hard throughout the game and that third period performance was their reward.

Dylan Strome kept the heat up with his team leading sixth goal of the season. Nick Jensen had the primary assist while Hardy Haman Aktell had the secondary. That secondary assist by Haman Aktell was his first NHL point.

Tom Wilson tied it with the assists coming from Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. It was Wilson’s second goal of the season and he has now scored goals in two consecutive games after notching his first one in Friday night’s win over the Minnesota Wild.

Evgeny Kuznetsov put the game away with an empty net goal. Ovechkin and Carlson once again had the helpers.

Head coach Spencer Carbery spoke on the Caps gaining momentum:

“It hasn’t be easy, certainly. It’s not easy to win in this league as everybody knows. So to string three wins together however they look—shootouts, comebacks, whatever it is—we’re gaining some momentum in our season.”

Grade B+: Overall it was another good game by the Capitals offense. That offense has woke up since Wednesday night’s high scoring affair against the New Jersey Devils. Despite going 0 for 3 on the power play they still generated chances on the man advantage.