The Washington Capitals remain atop the Eastern Conference and the Metropolitan Division after a strong Saturday slate of hockey action. We have yet to grade the performance of the offense but let's give quick flash grades of the defense and the goaltending. You can check out the full recap here.
The defense gets an A- but that's still pretty good. Logan Thompson's play in net is another grade A performance from him. But the offense was questionable for quite a bit until bubble helmet Tom Wilson had something to say about that in the form of two power play goals.
Dylan Strome and Jakob Chychrun would put the game away in the third period. Strome added his 10th of the season while Wilson added his 12th and 13th goals, respectively. Chychrun would add an empty netter for his ninth of the season. Overall the power play was good despite a questionable first 40 minutes.
John Carlson completed the hat trick of assists, all primary, which makes it all the more disappointing Johnny didn't make the cut for Team USA at the Four Nations Tournament. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery would say via Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network:
"That's one of the most disappointing things about him not representing Team USA (at 4 Nations). There's so much to John Carlson that goes unnoticed and flies under the radar. He does everything. "Spencer Carbery
Carbery on Carlson’s 3 primaries vs. BUF: “That’s one of the most disappointing things about him not representing Team USA (at 4 Nations). There’s so much to John Carlson that goes unnoticed and flies under the radar. He does everything.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 15, 2024
Carbery would then add this about the power play, "That unit has done a really good job in O's absence. When he comes back we're going to have to figure out a way to keep that momentum. Because the value, that I see, is penalty kills aren't sure where that attack is going to come from.
Carbery on the PP, which went 2 for 3 vs. BUF and has 11 goals in the last 10 games: “That unit on a whole has done a really good job in O’s absence. When he comes back we’re going to have to figure out a way to keep that momentum. Because the value, that I see, is penalty kills…
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 15, 2024
Grade A: Overall the Caps offense did what they had to do to preserve the win. They got two power play goals and now that unit has been connecting of late. They went from the high 20s in the NHL all the way down to 13th with a success rate of 22.5 percent.
It was also the Caps 13th comeback win of the season which is an NHL best. Carbery added the following:
"The resiliency and belief, it never shakes inside of our room. Even when I'm unhappy or guys know we haven't found our best, there's still a strong, strong belief that we're going to find a way to get that goal or change the momentum or have one good period to win a hockey game. "Spencer Carbery
Carbery asked about the #Caps’ NHL-best 13 comeback wins: “The resiliency and belief, it never shakes inside of our room. Even when I’m unhappy or guys know we haven’t found our best, there’s still a strong, strong belief that we’re going to find a way to get that goal or change…
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 15, 2024
Caps are off today but will be boarding to Dallas to take on the Stars on Monday night. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. eastern on Monumental Sports Network.