The Washington Capitals’ season so far has not gone as hoped. Alex Ovechkin has yet to reach 10 goals this season, Nicklas Backstrom is on an open-ended leave of absence, and the team has tended to either win very close games or lose by a wide margin. For the second season in a row, injuries are sidelining important players. The Capitals had a lot of reasons to hope for a “fresh start” granted by the beginning of a new calendar year. Here’s the Washington Capitals weekly recap for the first week of 2024.
Washington Capitals Weekly Recap
On-Ice Results
So let’s start the Washington Capitals weekly recap with the on-ice play. The Capitals squandered the chance to gain ground in the standings with three games against Metropolitan Division opponents. They only managed one win and dropped from 5th to 7th in the division. Both losses came in regulation, limiting Washington to only two earned standings points. The fourth- through seventh-place teams in the division are only separated by that two-point margin.
They first faced the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had shut them out in the first game of the season. A four-goal first period carried the Capitals to a close 4-3 win. The next night, they were back in action against the New Jersey Devils. Washington kept the game close for two periods–the score was within one goal at both intermissions–but lost 6-3. On Friday, the Capitals took a 2-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes but allowed six unanswered goals in the final 40 minutes.
Some Good Things
Despite the disappointing outcomes, the Capitals did see some isolated positives during the week. In the win over Pittsburgh, ten different skaters recorded a point. Four points came from the defence, including new acquisition Ethan Bear in his second game with the team. Offseason signing Max Pacioretty played in his first two games as a Capital on Wednesday and Friday. He skated in the middle-six, with Dylan Strome as his centre.
Washington scored on the power play in each game. The power play has struggled all season; in early December it was the NHL’s worst with a conversion rate of only nine percent. Before Saturday’s games, Washington’s power play ranked 27th–up from 30th place, where it sat before facing Pittsburgh. In the loss to Carolina, John Carlson reached the 500-assist milestone on Strome’s power-play goal. He is the first Capitals defenseman to reach the mark.
Capitals Weekly Recap: Injury Updates
Washington’s illness and injury news were busy this week. Forward TJ Oshie, who has been out since December 17th, has the most interesting update. Washington Post beat reporter Bailey Johnson reported on Friday that Oshie is in Minnesota for treatment. This is an unexpected development in his recovery. On January 1st, Washington termed his injury “day-to-day” and he had previously participated in practices in a regular jersey. The update also changed the terminology of the injury from being lower-body to upper-body.
Winger Sonny Milano, who has been on injured reserve since December 14, is considered week-to-week, per Johnson. On Friday, he participated in the team’s morning skate wearing a non-contact jersey. He last played December 9th.
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren was placed on IR on the 3rd, but has been practicing regularly and is eligible to be activated before Sunday afternoon’s game. From Saturday’s practice, Johnson reported that Alex Ovechkin took a maintenance day and will be a game-time decision against the Kings. Defenceman Rasmus Sandin will miss his second game with an illness.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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