Capitals Look to Bounce Back Against Wild After Blues Shutout
The Washington Capitals are gearing up for a challenging encounter as they face off against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Tuesday night. The Capitals, coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, are looking to turn their fortunes around and find the back of the net after being shut out for the fifth time this season—a high not seen since the 2018-19 campaign.
Offensive Struggles Plague Washington
Washington's offensive woes have been a recurring theme throughout the season. In 16 of their 44 games, the Capitals have managed to score one or fewer goals, highlighting a concerning trend for the team. Their recent performance against the Blues only exacerbated these concerns, with the Capitals mustering a mere 18 shots on goal. Notably, there were periods during the game where they failed to register a single shot on goal, despite having previously limited the Blues to just 12 shots at 5-on-5 in their prior matchup.
With an off day in Minneapolis on Sunday, the Capitals took the opportunity to regroup and refocus their efforts. Monday's practice session was crucial as they prepared for the upcoming games, with particular emphasis on addressing the shortcomings that were evident in the St. Louis game.
Underdog Status and Team Dynamics
Despite their challenges, the Capitals will enter the game against Minnesota as underdogs. This label could potentially serve as motivation for the team to overcome adversity and prove their capabilities. On the individual front, Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome have each contributed 28 points this season, while John Carlson has added 26 points to the team's tally. However, the Capitals' goaltender Darcy Kuemper has had his struggles, with a save percentage of .895 across 23 games played.
On the other side of the ice, the Wild's leading scorer, Kirill Kaprizov, boasts an impressive 42 points. He is supported by Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello, who have contributed 36 and 35 points, respectively. Filip Gustavsson, sharing the goaltending duties, has posted a .896 save percentage.
Injury Concerns
Injuries have also taken a toll on both teams. The Wild's roster is currently without Jared Spurgeon for the remainder of the season due to hip and back issues. Sam Hentges remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Additionally, Frederick Gaudreau and Marc-Andre Fleury are listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries, while Connor Dewar and Vinni Lettieri are dealing with lower-body injuries.
The Capitals have their share of injury woes as well. Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Bäckström are out with injuries, and Sonny Milano is contending with an upper-body injury. These absences will undoubtedly impact the team's depth and overall performance on the ice.
Coach Carbery's Outlook
Caps' coach Spencer Carbery expressed a determined attitude as he addressed the media. "We're going to get to work," he stated, acknowledging the need for improvement after the lackluster showing against the Blues. Carbery elaborated on the team's offensive issues, saying, "There’s a lot of things that we failed to do in that St. Louis game that we need to do a way better job of offensively." He emphasized the importance of addressing these areas and implementing changes to ensure the team can execute more effectively in future games.
Carbery also highlighted the team's focus on translating their practice efforts into tangible results. “And so we addressed those, we talked about them, and hopefully, we’ll implement those and see those come to life,” he remarked, indicating a proactive approach to overcoming the team's current obstacles.
Looking Ahead
As the Capitals set their sights on the upcoming clash with the Wild, they are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. With both teams facing injuries and the Capitals striving to improve their offensive output, Tuesday night's game promises to be a pivotal moment in Washington's season. The Capitals hope to reignite their scoring touch and climb back into a favorable position as they continue their pursuit of success this season.