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Capitals Temperature Check: Week 4

Taking a reading on who’s hot or cold over the past week.

Nov 8, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) celebrates with Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Opponents: Predators (3-2 W), Penguins (4-2 L), Blues (8-1 W)

Throughout the season, we’ll check in on the Washington Capitals to see which players, positions, and/or systems are hot and who is…well, not. We’ll kick things off with a look at how the team has done in their games between November 4 and November 10.

Hot Front

The top line. Much was written this week about the fact that Alex Ovechkin called his linemates together for a video session and they’ve clicked ever since. The proof is in the pudding, and in their performance (again) this week. In the three games played by the Caps, the trio of Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Aliaksei Protas combined for four goals and 11 points (including a team-high five assists, most of them gorgeous, by Strome).

Connor McMichael. In a season full of fun things so far, the rise of McMichael has been one of the most fun to watch, and he was on fire yet again this week, with three goals to maintain his torrid pace. He and Ovechkin continue to share the team’s goal-scoring lead, and are one away from the top spot in the league with 10 apiece – pretty impressive for a guy who had 18 goals all of last season. The confidence, the dad strength, the skills…all working for him right now.

Rasmus Sandin. The team leaders in goals scored this week were, unsurprisingly, Ovechkin and McMichael, with three each. Right behind them, though, is Rasmus Sandin, who scored twice this week – his first two goals of the season – while leading all Caps’ blueliners in even-strength CF%, HDCF%, and xGF%.

Penalty kill. The Caps were very disciplined this week, taking just seven penalties (and cutting several of those power plays short by drawing penalties of their own). When they did end up shorthanded, they killed off every single opportunity. Can’t really ask for more than that.

Power pl-…okay no. They did score twice, though! PROGRESS.

Cold Snap

Fourth line. It feels weird to put these guys here, because they have been really good and honestly they’re not even really “cold”…but just the one goal for the trio in a week that saw the team score 13 total? Maybe not cold, exactly, but lukewarm.

Playing teams from Pittsburgh. Seriously, the entire state of Pennsylvania has made some serious enemies this week. (And yes, we know this doesn’t technically make sense with what we’re doing here, but it’s worth mentioning. Just because.)

Talking Points