3 – Consecutive home games the Capitals have lost (dating back to Game 7 of last spring’s first round playoff series against Carolina), all of which they lead after two periods and ultimately lost in overtime, including Saturday night’s game against the ‘Canes and last night’s against the Stars.
The Caps are now 1-0-2 when leading headed into the third period on this young season after going 37-3-1 in such games last year. (As a point of reference, in four seasons under Barry Trotz, the team went 149-4-8 when up after 40 minutes of play, including an impressive 78-1-2 mark over Trotz’s first two seasons in town.)
Not helping matters? Nicklas Backstrom’s game-tying 6-on-5 goal last night was the Capitals’ first (and only) third-period tally on the campaign so far in 80 minutes played.
But the glass is 3⁄4 full – that is, the Caps have lead after two periods in three of their four games so far (and were tied in St. Louis before grabbing the win in OT that one).
Bottom line: coffee is for closers, and the Caps so far are under-caffeinated…