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Snapshots of the Week Ahead for the Capitals

Over the first five weeks of the season, the Washington Capitals played an odd schedule, three weeks with only two games, a schedule loaded toward the ends of weeks, a jumbled mess of fits and starts that led to a slow start in which they have yet to win consecutive games. As the schedule changes to something of a more regular nature, perhaps the scheduling rhythm will lead to a playing rhythm that gets the Caps out their early season funk.

The Opponents

Week 6 will feature three games played on alternating nights, the first time this takes place on the Caps’ schedule. First up is a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at Capital One Arena. It will be a rematch of the clubs, who met on October 25th, the Oilers taking a 4-1 decision. Based on their 13 games to date, perhaps this is finally the season in which the Oilers become serious contenders. After dropping their first two games in ugly fashion, three-goal losses on the road at the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins, the Oilers are 8-2-1, the ominous part of that being that Edmonton has won their last five road games. On the other hand, four of those five wins were by one goal, two in overtime, and the fifth win (5-3 over Nashville) featured an empty net goal in the last two minutes. The Oilers have been playing on the sunny side of the margin on the road.

The middle game of the week is the “rivalry” game, the Pittsburgh Penguins coming to town. These teams have also met once so far this season, the Caps clawing back from a two-goal third period deficit on goals by T.J. Oshie before falling, 7-6, on a Kris Letang goal 80 seconds into overtime. Going into Week 6, the Penguins are tied with the Caps for the top scoring offense in the league (3.75 goals per game). They have been especially productive on the road, averaging 4.67 goals per game away from the Confluence. The Pens’ defense on the road has been something of an all or nothing affair. In six road contests they allowed a single goal once and posted two shutouts. In the other three games they allowed a total of 12 goals. What the Penguins have done too often for their comfort is allow shots on goal. In averaging 36.7 shots allowed on the road, they have allowed 38 or more four times in six games. But results count, and Pittsburgh is one of three teams remaining yet to lose a road game in regulation (4-0-2, trailing only Nashville and Toronto, both 6-0-0).

The Caps close the week hosting Columbus in the teams’ first meeting since the Caps dispatched the Blue Jackets in six games in the opening round of last spring’s playoffs. If there is a surprise in the Blue Jacket’s performance so far, it is in being so leaky on defense. Eight times in 13 games they have allowed four or more goals, equally split between home and road. Their ability to score might be considered a surprise as well, five times in 13 games recording five or more goals. What Columbus has not been able to do on the offensive side of the ledger is score with the man advantage. At 12% through five weeks, the Blue Jackets rank 29th of 31 teams. Their penalty kill is not much better, tied for 24th in the league (73.8%).

Hot Caps…

Cold Caps…

Weird Facts…

Potential Milestones to Reach This Week…

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