Every 10 games I will grade the Capitals coach, defense and forwards as well as an overall team grade. First edition today!
Team
The Capitals have posted a 5-3-2 record after 10 games putting them tied for 3rd in the Metro division with 12 points and two back of leader Pittsburgh with 14. So far it’s been a mixed bag this season for the defending Cup Champs as they've been on a roller coaster ride and haven’t won two successive games. Some expected the Caps to have a “hangover… after a long celebratory summer and while no one is arguing the Capitals have played to their potential it’s not panic time just yet.
At home the Caps are 3-1-1 so far with one OT win and one shootout loss. After 5 games on the road the Caps have posted a 2-2-1 record with one OT loss and one shootout win. Scoring 38 goals and allowing 36 the Caps are among the league leaders in goals for. However only seven teams have given up more goals then the Caps.
The PK (missing suspended Wilson and traded Beagle) has struggled and sits at a subpar 72.50% good for 26th in the NHL. One constant in the Washington attack has been it’s PP over the last few seasons and so far this remains a dagger for the Caps. Sitting atop the league standings operating at 37.4% and tied for the lead in goals (13) with St. Louis the PP has given the opposition fits. Particularly at home in Capital One Arena where the Caps scored on 10 of 20 PPO’s in 5 games. Four of the top five NHL PP scorers are from Washington with 8 points respectively. Only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid is on that list with Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, and Nicklas Backstrom. Kuzy leads the NHL with 5 PPG’s.
An area of concern is at the faceoff circle were Washington sits in 27th place in league standings with a 47% clip. Coach Todd Reirden has asked his wingers to get more involved in helping the centers out.
Evgeny Kuznetsov leads in scoring with 15 points and Alex Ovechkin in goals with 8. Defenseman John Carlson leads blueline scoring with 14 also putting him tied for 1st in NHL for defensemen scoring with Toronto’s Morgan Reilly.
Team Grade : C+
First 10 game Look: Coach & Defense
Coach :
Todd Reirden
Ten games in to his tenure as bench boss, Reirden has looked comfortable. He’s shuffled lines in game less then Trotz did but still seems to be holding some accountability with ice time and line mix-ups between games. Only question I’ve disagreed with so far is the thought process of playing Dimitrij Jaskin over Nathan Walker. Next 10 will tell more as I expect him to start to hold more accountability especially on the penalty front.
Grade : B (Small window for a coaching grade)
Defense
John Carlson
Among the NHL defense leaders since opening night the mobile defenseman is logging big minutes and rewarding the Caps for the 64$M deal signed last summer. Averaging 26:00 minutes a game he plays in all situations and leads team with 4.2 blocks per 60. Has been a force on the PP as teams now have to defend his shot and also worry of his passing. Leads the team in turnovers with 12 including an ugly one leading to a highlight SHG against by Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Plays a lot so you expect this number higher than most but he needs to get better here. Then he’s an A+. Carlson has easily been the Caps best dman and is getting some Norris trophy talk early.
Grade: A-
Michal Kempny
Carlson’s partner was injured to start the season as he suffered a concussion on a hit in the pre-season. Registering 1 A in 8 games played he also has 11 hits and 11 blocks. Kempny is getting engaged and remains a steady partner for the offensive minded Carlson. At times however he’s had some rough shifts and may still be recovering from a “soft… start to the season. Tied for team lead with 6 minor penalties. Like to see some more offense but overall he’s to be expected.
Grade: B-
Matt Niskanen
Nisky remains the steady eddy we have come to know in DC. Second in ice time the two-way rearguard is averaging 23:10 minutes a game and has registered 2 G’s and 3 A’s in his 10 games played including a beauty GWG in OT vs the Rangers. Overall has been good but plays a lot in shorthanded situations and because of that he shares some responsibility as a part of Washington’s struggling PK.
Grade: B+
Dimitry Orlov
Orlov has been Washington’s most disappointing defenseman so far at least based on expectations. With a $5.1M cap hit you’d like to see more than 1 assist for 1 point in 10 games. You really wish he’d get his shot off more often as many are unaware of his rocket. Still has been making big hits and keeping opponents honest and sits 5th on the team with 20. Owner of a team worse -7 however. He’s recorded only 2 giveaways so far as he has improved in this area over the years and has only been whistled for one penalty.
Grade: C
Brooks Orpik
Now that Orpik’s contract is a more reasonable $1M per season I am very happy with Orpik’s contribution this year. Scoring a goal and adding an assist the strong defensive defenseman is +2 while averaging over 16 minutes a game. At 38 years old Orpik is also helping mentor some of the younger Caps like Djoos and Bowey. He leads the team in hits (31) with 11.4 per 60 minutes played. Closing in on 1000 games played as he’s at 992 currently.
Grade : A
Christian Djoos
The young 24 year old has struggled at times this year and was healthy scratched vs Calgary. Firing only 6 shots on net he hasn’t registered a goal yet and has 2 assists so far. Looks a little timid and has made some bad errors at the offensive blueline leading to chances against. His 6 hits and 5 blocked shots so far are less engaging then I want to see in a player heading into free agency next summer. Needs to better in his own end as well.
Grade : C-
Madison Bowey
The freshly signed former Kelowna Rocket is still trying to find traction with the big club and has appeared in only 3 games so far. In the lineup for an injured Michal Kempny to start the season he then sat 7 games before being inserted in place of Djoos vs Calgary. Looking more engaged this season including a fight in the opener vs Boston and his 6.7 hits/60 have only Orpik ahead of him on the team. An offensive player in Jr Bowey needs to find some consistency to stay in the lineup. It's a chicken or the egg thing here.
Grade : B-
Defense Overall Grade: B-
Forwards Report card out Wednesday October 31. Rock The Red & Unleash the Fury
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