Washington Capitals Statistics Analysis – Week Ending 1/31

This is an analysis of the Washington Capitals’ performance from an advanced statistics standpoint for the week of Jan 24-31, 2916. Statistics were taken from the War on Ice Website for each game.

Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers (January 27)

The Capitals lost this game 4-3 in Overtime. The Caps gave up two goals during the first period but then tied it up during the early part of the second period. But then gave up a goal towards the end of that period. They tied up the score in the third but immediately gave up the overtime goal.

In this game, Andre Burakovsky scored 2 goals. He and his linemates, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams, all exceeded 50% in Corsi and Fenwick For percentage, with Kuznetsov exceeding 60% in both. Burakovsky was at 57% in both while Williams was at 53%. The Corsi and Fenwick For percentages did not reflect the mistakes that Kuznetsov made that lead to 2 opposition goals, including the Flyers’ game winner. Nicklas Backstrom scored the other goal for the Caps. He and his linemates, Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie, all had Corsi For and Fenwick For percentages exceeding 60%. As good as the first and second lines were from a possession standpoint, it was not a good day for the third line. Jason Chimera had 27% Corsi For and 18% Fenwick For. Tom Wilson had 41% Corsi for and 38% Fenwick For. Marcus Johansson, in a very small sample size as he left the game midway through first period due to injury, had 25% in both Corsi For and Fenwick For. Mike Richards who took Johansson’s place as third center after the latter left the game had 39% Corsi For and 25% Fenwick For. The other two forwards, Brooks Laich and Michael Latta were at or above 50% in Corsi For and Fenwick For.

On defense, John Carlson was at or over 60% in Corsi For and Fenwick For. His partner, Nate Schmidt, was at 50% Corsi For and 56% Fenwick For. Matt Niskanen was in the upper 50% range in both Corsi For and Fenwick For while Karl Alzner was in the lower 50% range in both. The possession statistics didn’t reflect the fact that Niskanen had a rough first period that included a penalty. Dmitry Orlov was at 57% in Corsi For and at 50% in Fenwick For. It was a rougher day for Taylor Chorney from a possession standpoint with 48% in Corsi For and 38% in Fenwick For.