Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals downed the Edmonton Oilers, 5-4 Monday night at Capital One Arena. Dylan Strome notched his third and fourth goals of the season and captain Alex Ovechkin recorded his 788th career goal in the win. With the victory, the Capitals record improves to 6-6-2 on the season.
The Capitals lines were shuffled once again in order to accommodate the newly acquired Nicolas Aube-Kubel. There were pluses and minuses to the new lines as you will see below.
Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Conor Sheary
Sonny Milano — Dylan Strome — Marcus Johansson
Anthony Mantha— Lars Eller —Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Aliaksei Protas — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway
Martin Fehervary — Nick Jensen
Erik Gustafsson— Trevor Van Riemsdyk
Lucas Johansen — Matt Irwin
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Scratches: Connor McMichael, Joe Snively
Injuries: Dmitry Orlov (day-to-day) John Carlson (day-to-day), Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie, Connor Brown, Beck Malenstyn
The statistics used in this post are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. If you’d like to learn more about the statistical terms used in this post, please check out our NHL Analytics Glossary.
FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals played well in the first frame. Sonny Milano had a goal called off for not completely crossing the line, but moments later Dylan Strome turned in a nice steal and snipe for a 1-0 lead.
All in all the Capitals turned in a pretty good first 20. They led in shots on goal 11-9, shot attempts 25-16, scoring chances 11-8 and expected goals for (xGF) .7 to .64. The Capitals turned the tides on possession at the 8-minute mark and stepped on the gas at the 15 minute mark of the period. They also led in faceoffs 57-43%.
Note: for those not familiar with the graph above: a mark in the upward direction (towards the Capitals logo) is a shot attempt for the Capitals. A mark in the downward direction is a shot attempt for the Oilers. Time is moving from left to right.
SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals started second period in much the same fashion, as Dylan Strome notched his second tally of the night, just 26 seconds into the period. But Connor McDavid would answer with a charge through the Capitals defense midway through the period to make it 2-1.
The Capitals cashed-in on a 5-on-3 man-advantage with Evgeny Kuznetsov’s first goal of the season, but the Oilers quickly answered to make it 3-2, late in the frame. The Capitals answered back with a power play goal from Alex Ovechkin to restore the two-goal lead. The Capitals scored three power play goals in the middle frame.
All-in-all another good period for Washington. The Capitals led in shots on goal 14-6 in the second period and 24-15 after two periods. They led in shot attempts 15-11 in the middle frame and 39-27 after 40 minutes.
Note: For those new to these types of graphs, the colored bands represent power plays.
THIRD PERIOD
The Oilers closed the gap to 4-3 with a goal from Leon Draisaitl early in the final frame, as things started to feel very similar to the previous four games. Evgeny Kuznetsov would pot a late goal on the end of nice between-the-legs feed from Alex Ovechkin, giving the Capitals a seemingly comfortable two-goal lead.
However, the Oilers would answer again, making things anything but comfortable in the waning moments. The Oilers were called for two crucial penalties late in the period that hampered their response and the Capitals held on for the 5-4 win.
The Oilers closed the gap in shots as the Capitals ended up leading shots on goal 31-29 and shot attempts 51-48 for the game.
PLAYER SUMMARY
Expected Goals For %
Another strong showing for the Capitals with regards to possession. The third line of Anthony Mantha, Lars Eller and Nicolas Aube-Kubel were by far the best line tonight. The fourth line suffered with yet another line combination. [Click to enlarge].
In the end the Oilers led 53.7% to 46.3% in expected goals for in the game.
SHAVINGS
- Charlie Lindgren stopped 25 of 29 shots for a .862 game save percentage. However, he was under siege at times, and was arguably the Capitals best player in the third period. No complaints here.
- The team turned in another good night at the faceoff circle, winning 52-48% for the game.
- Erik Gustafsson led all Capitals skaters in ice time with 24:33. Aliaksei Protas (10:14) and Nicolas Aube-Kubel (10:19) had the team lows in ice time.
- The Capitals went 4-for-5 on the power play against Edmonton. Washington’s four power play goals are tied for the fourth most in a single game in franchise history.
- It marks the first time the Capitals scored four power play goals in a game since Oct. 3, 2018 vs. Boston.
- Ovechkin’s goal marks his first career goal against Stuart Skinner, the 163rd different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career. Ovechkin has scored against a new goaltender in three consecutive games (also Nov. 3 at DET: Ville Husso & Nov. 5 vs. ARI: Karel Vejmelka).
- Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded four power play points (2g, 2a) against Edmonton, tying a franchise record for the most power play plays in a single game (11 instances, most recent before tonight: Dennis Wideman, 12/9/2011 vs. Toronto).
- With the Capitals’ win over Edmonton, Peter Laviolette earned his 723rd career win as a head coach, passing Alain Vigneault for the eighth-most wins in NHL history.
- Tonight marks Strome’s seventh career multi-goal game and his fourth multi-point effort in 14 games this season, which is the most on the Capitals.
- Kuznetsov is three assists shy of passing Peter Bondra (353) for the ninth-most assists in franchise history.
By Jon Sorensen
Chuck has impressed me. I think he has been better than his stats show. Defense could certainly help more to clear the area in front of the net. Will be interesting to see the heat map for tonight’s game.
Same, he’s looking like a heck of a bargain so far. And agree, at times, he’s been the Capitals best netminder.
We need to re-sign this guy. Stat!
92 skated and was creative. Ovie , for the most part, skated hard. NAK was good. johnansen analytics weren’t great, but he had some good shifts. milano started to look decent. i feel like tonight was a good rebound game. tomorrow will be interesting.
Eller continues to contribute nothing. No points or hits. No hard work on boards. Fascinates me that his line rates so high. Makes me wonder what his line mates might do with a better center. Would like to see Mantha and Strome together for a few.
When is the coach going to figure out that Protas is not a fit on 4th line.
This ☝️
My lines with current healthy players
Ovi-Kuzy- Protas
Mantha-Strome-Milano
Mojo-CMM-Sheary
NAK-Dowd-Hathaway
Second this. Was surprised NAK didn’t start right out on the 4th line. It also margin;ized Aliaksei Protas, who doesn’t thrive on the 4th line.
Lavi likes plug n play. He talks about players who can fit in and play anywhere. Well, a player might be ABLE to play anywhere, but is that the most productive spot for him? I just get the feeling that Lavi goes for Swiss Army knives and not specialized tools so just doesn’t know how to best use players.
It fascinates me that this fanbase is so obsessed with a prospect who has done relatively nothing to deserve a sweater every single night and at a critical position. Mcmichael has played in 2 more games this year than Milano and Milano has more shots on goal and frankly more quality scoring chances and has been extremely noticeable. Mcmichael has played in 4 games and only has 1 shot on goal I will say it again he has 1 shot on goal. He played his best game in Detroit and then followed it up with another nonexistent showing against the coyotes. He can’t win board battles and is constantly getting out muscled for loose pucks and yet you want him to play 3rd line center??
Eller has done nothing and has no upside. Play is similar but upside with CM. Why you defending Eller. Plays soft. Can’t score.makess no sense.
Eller for one kills penalties so if you take him out of the line up then who replaces him on the pk? His line looked really good against the Oilers. He also had 2 quality scoring chances and hit the post. He also has 5 points on the year. Mcmichael can’t win faceoffs has 1 lousy shot on goal. You can have all the potential in the world but if you don’t do anything with it when you get a chance then your potential means nothing. He hasn’t done anything either and he is nonexistent when he’s in the lineup. Milano was noticeable right away as was Protas. You have to earn a sweater in the NHL shouldn’t just get one based on potential.
Plays penalty kill but not good at it. Almost anyone can replace him. Under 50% on face offs. Won’t hit anyone. 5 whole points in 14 games. Wow! And a minus player. Is he our future. Argh Caps fan base.
Eller makes a lot of (relative) money as well.
Definitely a premium on Swiss Army knives likes Sheary. We definitely haven’t found someone that can embrace that 4th line identity with Beck now out.
When a bit healthier, I like Sheary on the 4th line. I don’t like 3 righties on one line but willing to give NAK a go.
For now though, that lineup just won a gutsy game so lets run it back on Wednesday.