A Capstastrophic start to 2022
Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
The NHL All-Star break ended yesterday, most players in the league are well-rested and ready to tackle the second half of the season. As the trade deadline approaches, teams will try to push for a deep playoff run. But there is one team that as the season goes on, seems to be headed towards another first-round exit. The Capitals have gone just 5-7-2 since ringing in the New Year, and are currently sitting 4th in the Metro Division with a 25-13-9 record.
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME
The January line combination changes have been extremely different from the past. With the NHL's addition of the taxi squad and many top players' being sent to IR/COVID protocol, Laviolette was forced to bring back some Hershey lines. But as we've seen one too many times this season, Capitals or Hersheys, it doesn't seem to make a difference.
Washington's kryptonite thus far this season has been their special teams. The team currently ranks in the bottom five in PP efficiency %. With Ovechkin securing the all-time power play goal record, other players are now getting involved in the power play. Power play line changes have given the Capitals a lot more dangerous scoring opportunities, but their productivity remains low. Over their last three games, their power play efficiency was 12.5%, just shy of their season average of 15.2%. They have also failed to transform a 5-on-3 power play for 1:56 against the Sharks, which eventually cost them the game. Facing the Oilers, the Capitals made a great comeback after falling quickly in the game. As time was ticking down in the third period, Tyson Barrie of the Oilers received a 2-minute minor for hooking, with just under five minutes left. The Caps were given this opportunity to tie the game on a power play. After a lackluster pass from Jon Carlson, the Oilers managed to get a breakaway and score a devastating shorthanded goal. This reoccurring scenario is the primary reason the Capitals have dropped from 1st to 4th in the Metro Division.
FORSYTHE NEEDS TO GO
Blaine Forsythe has been the assistant coach for the Washington Capitals for over a decade now. He led the team to a Stanley Cup in 2018, when his power play strategy was the best for weeks. Since that run, it seems like his game plan is slowly deteriorating. The Capitals' power play has gone from bad to worse. The game has evolved over the years, but Forsythe's style remains the same. In the age of analytics, it is clear which teams use data and which do not. One thing is for sure the Capitals' assistant coach has yet to see this data.
Such a non-existent power play combined with giving up numerous shorthanded goals should raise questions about the current plan. But as we head into the last half of the season, some coaches still refuse to embrace change. The criticism against Forsythe is not entirely based on the fact that the special teams are inefficient, but mainly due to his lack of accountability. Throughout the season, the blame was put on injuries and COVID minimizing the team's depth. However, even with the top-6 forwards available, the power play remains disorganized. What is even worse, is the fact that Forsythe has not tried to make any changes. And as long as he is part of the organization, do not expect different results from the power play unit. As Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. I can confidently say that Blaine Forsythe is insane!
WILSON MAKES ASG HISTORY
Last weekend, the 2022 NHL Honda All-Star Weekend was held in Las Vegas, NV. Two Caps players made the trip to represent the Metro Division: Evgeny Kuznetsov (2nd appearance), and Tom Wilson (1st appearance). On Friday, players compete in skill challenges, followed by the All-Star Game on Saturday. Kuzy competed in the Fastest Skater Challenge, where he finished last. On the other hand, Wilson competed in the Hardest Shot, finishing 3rd with a shot clocked at 101.1mph.
During his introduction on Saturday, Tom Wilson, who is often regarded as one of the dirtiest and most hated players in the league was booed by T-Mobile Arena attendees. That didn't bother Wilson as he enjoyed his first All-Star appearance. During his first game, Wilson was paired with Kuzy on the “top” line. With a great feed from Kuznetsov, Wilson was able to find the back of the net on the first rush. He opened the score for the Metro Division after just 13 seconds into the game. Thus, beating Sidney Crosby's previous record of 15 seconds.
Wilson and Kuzy both scored during the ASG and helped the Metro Division win the tournament. Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers was named the MVP of the tournament.
