T.J. Oshie (Caps Outsider)
It’s no secret that the power play has been a key part of the Capitals’ success this season.
Following game no. 34, a 3-1 victory over Montreal on Saturday, the Capitals boast the second most potent man advantage in the league, converting on 25.2 percent of power play opportunities.
Although the power play failed to score in the team’s past two contests against Montreal and Carolina in a combined four chances, it was instrumental in two recent come-from-behind wins against bitter Eastern Conference rivals.
Trailing 3-0 against Tampa Bay at home on December 18, the Capitals erased the deficit and then some with three power play goals, including the equalizer from Alex Ovechkin and the eventual game-winning goal from Marcus Johansson.
Two nights later in New York against the Rangers, the Capitals came back from two down and then flipped the script to take a two goal lead with consecutive power play goals from Ovechkin and Justin Williams in the second period en route to a 7-3 victory.
Combined, the Capitals went a mind-numbing 5-for-7 on the power play in those two games, including two tallies against the league’s eighth best penalty killing team in the Rangers.
With an Eastern Conference-leading 54 points and a league-best seven game-win streak, the Capitals have already proven they are a tough team to beat night in and night out. Even when a slow start seems to doom the Capitals in games like the Lightning and Rangers contests, an über-talented first unit and an efficient second unit tend to keep the Capitals within striking distance when given the chance.
Both victories displayed the potency of the Capitals power play but also made a few statements about the Caps’ season as a whole. One being that the Capitals can beat good teams.
It’s evident that the Capitals have had major success against inferior opponents (aka: teams they are supposed to beat) this season. This is not a negative by any means, in fact is encouraging to see this year’s team bury lesser opponents. Big wins against the Bolts and the Blueshirts is more of a testimony to the Capitals’ capability to beat playoff-caliber teams, something they have struggled to do this season. Of the eight losses the Capitals have endured, those eight teams have a combined record of 148-103-27 and five of those teams currently hold down a playoff spot. Although Tampa Bay and New York have struggled of late, both remain quality opponents.
Secondly, it showed that the Capitals are a team of many strengths, not a singular one. At times this season the Caps have been buoyed by the stellar play of goaltender Braden Holtby. Undoubtedly Holtby, who leads the league in goals against average and wins, has allowed the Capitals to steal games they did not necessarily deserve to win. When Holtby and the defense in front of him struggled early on against the Lightning and Rangers, an electric power play picked up the slack.
But just as the Capitals have relied too much on the play of Holtby at times, they must be careful not to do the same with the power play. The Capitals took advantage of undisciplined play by opponents in recent games, but that too will not last. At the end of the past three regular seasons the Capitals have had or have been tied for the best power play percentage in the league. But as all Caps fans know, a powerhouse power play alone does not translate into playoff success. As exciting as these recent victories have been, Capitals fans will be much more at ease knowing the power play is not expected to carry such a heavy load.
