While most of the Caps roster is more or less set, there are still some roster spots being competed. Here’s a look at those battles, and how each player is trending (to be updated as warranted):
Goalies | Trend | Notes |
Michal Neuvirth | ▲ | Very good in Chicago, but Varly hasn’t stumbled. |
Semyon Varlamov | – | Still his spot to lose. |
Defensemen | ||
Karl Alzner | ▼ | Alzner took responsibility for the second goal against Buffalo, and was on the ice for both. |
John Carlson | – | Not quite there. Update: Carlson has been sent to Hershey. |
Sean Collins | ▲ | Still very much a longshot, but Bruce Boudreau praised Collins after the Buffalo game. |
Tyler Sloan | – | Wonder why he’s only gotten one game so far… |
Forwards | ||
Keith Aucoin |
▲ | Aucoin scored the Caps’ lone goal Monday (on a shot that was going wide), but it’s still hard to envision a role for him right now. |
Jay Beagle | ▲ | Received kudos after the Buffalo game, and has been winning a ton of draws. |
Chris Bourque | – | Bourque had chances on Monday night, but failed to convert. Still, Boudreau seemed to be happy with his effort. Hopefully, getting his bell rung doesn’t slow him down much. |
Alexandre Giroux | ▼ | A double-minor in Chicago for an offensive-zone high stick followed by a mediocre outing against Buffalo may spell the end of the road (for now) for Giroux. |
Quintin Laing | ▲ | When asked about Laing’s performance in Chicago, Boudreau replied, “He did what he does, which is making coaches happy.” |