Capitals (15-16-7) vs. Canadiens (23-11-5) Keys to the Game
#1. Don't Fall Behind in the First
During the Capitals current 5 game losing streak, the Capitals gave up the first goal in every single game. The team, which is fifth in the league in terms of goals scored in the first period (42) only scored three in their last 5 regulation loses and gave up 14. Granted, Washington is also fifth worst in the league as far as giving up first period goals (42), but 14 of them came in the span of about a week. The Caps only gave up seven combined goals in those five loses in the second and third periods, and scored five. It also hurts the Caps that they cannot seem to come back from a first period deficit (their winning percentage when trailing after one is .067). If the Caps can come out and at least be even after one, they will have a chance to snap their losing streak.
#2. Make the Habs Score Even Strength Goals
When it comes to power play goals, the Habs are 13th in the league in 5 on 4 goals for (32), and 10th in 5 on 3 goals (6) translating to only 40 power play goals (11th in the league). Yet their power play is the best in the league at 22.9% (their road power play is slightly worse at 19.5%). How is this possible? Because Montreal is second worst in the league as far as power play opportunities. They also lead the league in shorthanded goals with 12. But their deficiency is playing at even strength. There, Montreal is 26th in the league in 5 on 5 goals with a mere 58 (as opposed to the Caps who are 14th with 69 goals). Montreal has only scored 60 even strenth goals (2 4 on 4 goals). That means out of Montreal's 119 goals, only 50.4% are even strength goals. If the Caps (who have scored 120 goals, with 60% of them coming at even strength) can keep Montreal from scoring in special teams situations (either up or down a man), they can shut down that lethal offense.
#3. Olie Needs to Step Up
I don't like to put the onus on goaltenders, but in the 5 straight regualtion losses, Olie Kolzig has a 3.22 GAA. He is 14-11-3-1 in his career against the Habs (2.34 GAA, .920 save percentage) but he's been playing on short rest and it has started to show. In his last three games, his save percentage never exceeded .890. On the year he has a GAA of 3.15 (33rd among goaltenders) and a .910 save percentage (17th). Certainly, those numbers have been deflated due to the lack of rest, an injured defensive unit (John Erskine and Bryan Muir are still listed as out indefinitely) and a tough stretch of games, but if Washington wants to pull out a "W" today, Olie needs to backstop them.
Players to Watch For...
Montreal: Cristobal Huet
Huet has been a Capital killer throughout his career. Huet is 4-1-0 in his career against Washington with a 1.99 GAA and a .928 save percentage. On December 27, he stopped 30 of 31 shots on the way to a 4-1 Montreal win. He is also the top goaltender in the NHL in terms of save percentage (.930) and has the 6th highest GAA (2.34). Beating him will be the key to winning.
Washington: Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin continues to be the Russian dynamo that leads the Caps to victories (up until those last 5 losses). He is the leagues leading goal scorer (25) and is 5th in points (51). During the Caps 5-game losing streak, Ovechkin had only 1 goal and 4 points. Despite only having 1 goal, he had 27 shots on goal. If Ovechkin can break out of his scoring "slump" the Caps will have a much better chance at winning.
During the Capitals current 5 game losing streak, the Capitals gave up the first goal in every single game. The team, which is fifth in the league in terms of goals scored in the first period (42) only scored three in their last 5 regulation loses and gave up 14. Granted, Washington is also fifth worst in the league as far as giving up first period goals (42), but 14 of them came in the span of about a week. The Caps only gave up seven combined goals in those five loses in the second and third periods, and scored five. It also hurts the Caps that they cannot seem to come back from a first period deficit (their winning percentage when trailing after one is .067). If the Caps can come out and at least be even after one, they will have a chance to snap their losing streak.
#2. Make the Habs Score Even Strength Goals
When it comes to power play goals, the Habs are 13th in the league in 5 on 4 goals for (32), and 10th in 5 on 3 goals (6) translating to only 40 power play goals (11th in the league). Yet their power play is the best in the league at 22.9% (their road power play is slightly worse at 19.5%). How is this possible? Because Montreal is second worst in the league as far as power play opportunities. They also lead the league in shorthanded goals with 12. But their deficiency is playing at even strength. There, Montreal is 26th in the league in 5 on 5 goals with a mere 58 (as opposed to the Caps who are 14th with 69 goals). Montreal has only scored 60 even strenth goals (2 4 on 4 goals). That means out of Montreal's 119 goals, only 50.4% are even strength goals. If the Caps (who have scored 120 goals, with 60% of them coming at even strength) can keep Montreal from scoring in special teams situations (either up or down a man), they can shut down that lethal offense.
#3. Olie Needs to Step Up
I don't like to put the onus on goaltenders, but in the 5 straight regualtion losses, Olie Kolzig has a 3.22 GAA. He is 14-11-3-1 in his career against the Habs (2.34 GAA, .920 save percentage) but he's been playing on short rest and it has started to show. In his last three games, his save percentage never exceeded .890. On the year he has a GAA of 3.15 (33rd among goaltenders) and a .910 save percentage (17th). Certainly, those numbers have been deflated due to the lack of rest, an injured defensive unit (John Erskine and Bryan Muir are still listed as out indefinitely) and a tough stretch of games, but if Washington wants to pull out a "W" today, Olie needs to backstop them.
Players to Watch For...
Montreal: Cristobal Huet
Huet has been a Capital killer throughout his career. Huet is 4-1-0 in his career against Washington with a 1.99 GAA and a .928 save percentage. On December 27, he stopped 30 of 31 shots on the way to a 4-1 Montreal win. He is also the top goaltender in the NHL in terms of save percentage (.930) and has the 6th highest GAA (2.34). Beating him will be the key to winning.
Washington: Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin continues to be the Russian dynamo that leads the Caps to victories (up until those last 5 losses). He is the leagues leading goal scorer (25) and is 5th in points (51). During the Caps 5-game losing streak, Ovechkin had only 1 goal and 4 points. Despite only having 1 goal, he had 27 shots on goal. If Ovechkin can break out of his scoring "slump" the Caps will have a much better chance at winning.
posted by The Jet at 10:39 AM
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