Capitals Look to Rebound Against Wild After Shutout Loss
The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Tuesday evening, aiming to bounce back after a disappointing performance over the weekend. The Capitals, who suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, have been experiencing offensive struggles throughout the season, which they hope to overcome in the upcoming game.
Season Struggles for Washington
This season has proven challenging for Washington's offense, as the team has been blanked five times thus far—the highest number of shutouts since the 2018-19 season. Adding to their woes, the Capitals have scored one or fewer goals in 16 out of their 44 games. Their recent encounter with the Blues highlighted these issues, with the Capitals managing only 18 shots on goal and enduring periods without registering a single shot on net. Despite these difficulties, the Capitals' defense had previously shown resilience by limiting the Blues to just 12 shots at 5-on-5 during an earlier matchup.
Recovery and Practice
Following an off day in Minneapolis on Sunday, the Capitals took to the ice on Monday to prepare for their clash against the Wild. With practice focusing on addressing their offensive shortcomings, head coach Spencer Carbery emphasized the need for improvement. "We're going to get to work," he stated confidently. Carbery further elaborated on the team's approach, 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 expressed hope that the adjustments discussed and implemented during practice would translate into better performance on the ice.
Underdog Status Against Minnesota
Heading into the matchup with the Wild, the Capitals are considered underdogs. Minnesota boasts strong individual performances this season, with Kirill Kaprizov leading the team with 42 points. Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello follow closely behind, contributing 36 and 35 points respectively. Meanwhile, the Capitals' top scorers include Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, each with 28 points, and John Carlson adding 26 points to the tally. In the crease, Darcy Kuemper has played in 23 games for Washington, posting a .895 save percentage, while Filip Gustavsson of the Wild holds a similar .896 save percentage.
Injury Report
Both teams are facing challenges with player injuries. The Wild will be without Jared Spurgeon for the remainder of the season due to hip and back issues, while Sam Hentges is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Frederick Gaudreau and Marc-Andre Fleury are listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries, and Connor Dewar along with Vinni Lettieri are dealing with lower-body injuries.
Washington's roster is similarly affected, with Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Bäckström out with injuries. Sonny Milano is also coping with an upper-body injury, adding to the Capitals' list of concerns as they navigate through the mid-season.
Looking Ahead
As the Capitals gear up to take on the Wild, the focus remains firmly on reviving their offensive game and securing a much-needed win. Coach Carbery's determination to rectify the team's offensive execution could prove crucial as they attempt to turn the tide against a formidable Minnesota side. With both teams dealing with significant injuries, it will be interesting to see how each adapts and which players step up to fill the voids left by their sidelined teammates.
Washington's ability to rebound from their recent shutout and improve their scoring record will be tested come Tuesday night. The Capitals have demonstrated their capability to restrict their opponents' shooting opportunities, and if they can combine this defensive solidity with an enhanced attack, they may well defy their underdog status and emerge victorious in St. Paul.