The Noon Number: Empty Frame

0 - Number of goals scored by the Capitals in the second period so far this series, the only playoff team not to have a single goal in the middle frame. That’s somewhat surprising considering how strong they were in the second period during the regular season; only the Penguins (104) scored more in the second than the Caps’ 103.

In fact, through three games, the Caps have only scored three goals after the opening twenty minutes - twice in the third period (one of which was an empty-netter) and once in overtime - and in only one of their three games so far have they even cracked double digits in shots over the final two periods (thanks in part to a 16-shot outburst in the second period of Game 2).

Game 1 featured a measly nine shots on goal between the second and third (four and five respectively), while they fell completely asleep in Game 3 with just one shot in the second and a power play-induced seven in the third.

If the Caps are going to get out of Round 1 unscathed, they’re going to need to make Petr Mrazek work a bit more in the final forty minutes - and finish as strong as they start.