Capitals Look to Rebound Against the Wild After Shutout Loss
The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Tuesday night, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Blues last Saturday. This season has been challenging for the Capitals, as they've been shut out five times—their highest total since the 2018-19 season—and have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring one or fewer goals in 16 of their 44 games.
In their recent matchup with the Blues, the Capitals' offense was notably stifled, managing only 18 shots on goal throughout the game. Moreover, there were periods during which they failed to register a single shot on goal. Despite this offensive drought, it's worth noting that the Capitals had previously demonstrated a strong defensive performance against the Blues, holding them to just 12 shots on net at 5-on-5 play.
A Day of Rest and Preparation
The team took an off day in Minneapolis on Sunday, providing them with some much-needed rest before Monday's practice session. The practice was crucial for the Capitals as they prepared for their upcoming games, particularly against a strong Minnesota team. With the Capitals considered underdogs in the upcoming contest, the practice session was an opportunity to address and work on the deficiencies displayed in the game against St. Louis.
Key Players and Injury Updates
On the individual front, Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome have been leading the charge for the Capitals, each contributing 28 points so far this season. Close behind is John Carlson, who has added 26 points to the team's tally. Between the pipes, goaltender Darcy Kuemper has appeared in 23 games, posting a .895 save percentage.
However, injuries have plagued both teams, impacting their rosters. For the Capitals, Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Bäckström are sidelined with injuries, while Sonny Milano is currently dealing with an upper-body injury. The Wild have their share of health concerns as well, with Jared Spurgeon out for the remainder of the season due to hip and back issues. Additionally, Sam Hentges is out with an undisclosed injury, and both Frederick Gaudreau and Marc-Andre Fleury are listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries. Connor Dewar and Vinni Lettieri are also on the injured list with lower-body injuries.
The Wild's roster still boasts impressive talent, with Kirill Kaprizov leading the team with 42 points. Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello follow closely with 36 and 35 points, respectively. In goal, Filip Gustavsson has maintained a .896 save percentage, providing stability at the back end for Minnesota.
Coach Carbery's Outlook
Caps' coach Spencer Carbery expressed a determined attitude towards improvement following the loss to the Blues. "We're going to get to work," he stated, emphasizing the need for the team to enhance their offensive output. Carbery acknowledged the shortcomings in the previous game, 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 highlighted that the team has discussed these issues and hopes to implement changes that will translate into better performances on the ice. “And so we addressed those, we talked about them, and hopefully we’ll implement those and see those come to life,” Carbery concluded.
As the Capitals gear up for their clash with the Wild, they will be looking to put their recent struggles behind them and ignite their offense. With key players stepping up and a focused practice session under their belt, Washington aims to overcome their underdog status and secure a victory in St. Paul. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Capitals can turn their words into action and rekindle the form that has made them one of the NHL's most formidable teams in recent years.