Top 3 concerns in recent Capitals slump
Is it time to panic yet Washington Capitals fans?
The Washington Capitals are under what some fans are calling a downward spiral. You've asked me all season. I gave the same answer...
It's too early.
It's not too early anymore. The time is now to evaluate the Capitals and figure out whether they should give it a run to the playoffs or sell at the deadline for some assets.
Right now though they have dropped all four of their games on a four game road trip including today's overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. It's bad.
Here are our top 3 concerns so far.
#3 Is it finally dad time for Alex Ovechkin?
I hate that we've reached this point but I think it's time to admit that it's beginning to catch up to Alex Ovechkin. That being said, I'm not quite counting him out yet especially since he scored today. While the goals aren't coming (other than today's), as he came back from injury, watching him on the ice the last few games it's looked like something still ails him. No idea what it is. But it might be nothing if he scores again these next few games after the break.
We didn't think the Caps were going to win the Cup this season. But we certainly hoped they would be competitive enough to get in the playoffs. Now that the team has slumped along with Ovechkin has the Caps win without Ovi magic potion ran out?
Since Dec. 21 the Caps have gone 5-9-3 and are now four points back of Detroit for the final playoff spot. We were hoping he'd have at least ONE more 50 goal season in him. At this rate it'd be a miracle if he got to 20. But maybe today was the start of a turnaround. If anybody on that team deserves time away to relax before the second half push, it's the great eight.
#2 Where's the offense at?
If you thought the Caps offense was bad last year, it's worse now. And it isn't just the age of Ovechkin. Spencer Carbery is still adjusting to NHL life so no I'm not part of the "fire the coach" crowd. I am though skeptical of some of the offensive schemes.
But overall I do not think Carbery is a bad coach. There has been some postivies like the resurgence of Anthony Mantha and the emergence of Dylan Strome who has the potential to be the next big star around here.
But that doesn't mean there hasn't been negatives and there have been aplenty. The Caps are 30th in the league with just 108 total goals scored. The Sharks are the worst obviosuly with 100. The Blackhawks are the second worst at 104 and some folks make it sound like half of the goals were scored by Connor Bedard.
The Caps power play is shockingly somewhat better than the five on five at times but it's still bad. How bad? 28th in the NHL bad at a power play success percentage of just 14 percent. This was right before the game. It jumped up to 14.5 percent thanks to the Ovechkin goal but it's still 27th.
91 of the Caps 112 goals have come at even strength. 21 on the power play. BAD.
#1 What exactly DOES the future hold?
Just a few short years ago the Caps were ranked at the bottom of the NHL by draft experts in terms of prospect rankings. While they moved a couple spots better it may be a while before the Caps get competitive again when it's time for the dreadful post Ovi era.
It's not good. The Caps do have a little bit of draft stock but not much. Although the Caps are just four back of the Red Wings, the Caps need to leapfrog the Devils to even flirt with that second wild card spot. New Jersey is on the road at Tampa Bay tonight.
And not just the Devils who have 51 points right now as I'm writing this like the Caps do. The Islanders have 51 points too. The Penguins, Sabres, and Canadiens are lurking right behind them. Pens with 49, Buffalo with 48 and Habs with 47. The Caps see the Canadiens after the All Star festivities.
Right now it's purgatory and the numbr one question fans have is do the Caps buy or sell at the deadline. It's no until early March but if the Caps continue to falter in early February it may prompt general manager Brian MacLellan to start working the phones.
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