21 – Total shots on goal for the Capitals in last night’s 6-0 loss to the Devils, a season low and their lowest shot production since dropping a 4-1 decision in Carolina back in March.
It was a surprising dip in shots considering what the Caps managed to do in their first three games – they pummeled the Bruins with 37 shots en route to a 7-0 victory, added another 29 against Pittsburgh in their 7-6 OTL, and peppered Marc-Andre Fleury with 36 back on Wednesday.
Last night’s blip actually caused their shots-per-game rate to drop from 34, which would put them in the top third of the League, to 30.8, good enough for 21st overall.
Of course, such a dramatic drop only happens because of the small sample size… which is why one low-production loss is not exactly something worth panicking about. Yet.