Two rivals at reverse ends of the success spectrum sq. off when the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.
The Capitals are rolling via the early a part of the season, off to a 9-3-0 begin after a 3-2 win in opposition to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. They sit third within the Metropolitan Division with 18 factors, two again of each the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils.
It is a totally different story for the Penguins, who’re attempting to remain out of the division basement. They’re one level out of final place within the Metropolitan after their eighth loss of their previous 10 video games on Thursday, falling 5-1 to the Hurricanes.
The Washington offense is clicking with a median of 4.08 objectives per sport (fourth within the NHL) after the crew put up 2.63 objectives per sport final season (twenty eighth out of the 32 groups). The highest line of Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas has performed a key position, particularly Ovechkin, who has six objectives in a five-game scoring streak as he cuts away on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring file.
“I am all the time having enjoyable,” the Capitals captain stated. “While you’re profitable video games, if you produce some alternatives to have an opportunity to attain objectives, it is all the time enjoyable to play.”
Nonetheless, the Capitals aren’t relying solely on one trio. Connor McMichael shares the crew lead in objectives with Ovechkin, each having eight. Tom Wilson is second with six. Fourth-line heart Nic Dowd has 4 objectives in 12 video games, 9 away from his career-high set in 2022-23 — in 65 video games.
“Clearly, all of us need extra minutes, extra time on particular groups, extra accountability,” Dowd stated. “That is by no means going to alter. However we have now a extremely good combination of gamers which can be excited to be the place they’re, and that simply permits them to play higher and have extra confidence.”
Washington can also be having fun with stellar play from goalie Logan Thompson, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June. Thompson is 6-0-0 to begin his Capitals tenure.
“Simply actually grateful to be right here, be a part of this group,” Thompson stated.
The Penguins, in the meantime, took a step again on Thursday after going 2-0-1 of their earlier three video games to briefly half their skid. Nevertheless, the Hurricanes scored within the first minute, then cruised to a 5-0 lead earlier than Pittsburgh received a comfort aim.
“Total, I do not suppose it was as unhealthy because the rating indicated as we speak,” Pittsburgh defenseman Erik Karlsson stated postgame. “We simply received to discover a strategy to get much more confidence and attempt to play with a little bit bit extra confidence all through your complete sport. … They’re feeling good about themselves it doesn’t matter what occurs within the sport. That is form of the spot we have now to get to.”
It has been a wrestle for Pittsburgh at each ends of the ice. The Penguins rank twentieth within the NHL with a median of two.80 objectives per sport however have not scored greater than three since a 6-5 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 16, after they did so for the third time in 4 video games.
Unsurprisingly, Evgeni Malkin (4 objectives, 12 assists) and Sidney Crosby (six objectives, 9 assists) lead the Penguins’ offense. Rickard Rakell is tied with Crosby for the crew lead in objectives however has scored simply twice in his previous seven video games, with each coming in the identical sport.
On the different finish, Pittsburgh is thirtieth within the league with a median of three.80 objectives in opposition to and is tied with the Montreal Canadiens for essentially the most objectives allowed, 57.
–Subject Stage Media
