The Washington Capitals are facing an uphill battle in their quest for a playoff spot this season, and the reasons are as clear as day. One major issue is their struggling power play, ranking 30th in the league for net efficiency and 22nd in five-on-four expected goal rate. But it's not just about special teams; the lack of scoring from key players is a glaring concern.
Let's break it down. Alex Ovechkin, a name synonymous with goal-scoring, has found the back of the net in just one of the last 14 games since late January.
That performance came with a two-goal effort in a losing cause against Montreal. Despite his legendary status, Ovechkin has only managed four power-play goals this season, setting him on course for a career low.
Tom Wilson, another vital cog in the Capitals' offense, has struggled as well. With just one goal in eight games since the Olympics and two in 18 games since the New Year, he's tied with Ovechkin for the team lead at 24 goals.
Jakob Chychrun, a defenseman, has contributed two goals in eight games post-Olympics, which is respectable given his position. However, his presence as the third-highest goal scorer on the team, with 23 goals, highlights the offensive struggles.
Aliaksei Protas has netted three goals in his last 14 games, one of which was an empty-netter. Meanwhile, Dylan Strome is enduring a 12-game goalless drought despite 18 shots on target.
Connor McMichael, coming off a breakout year, has scored in just one of his last 11 outings, a two-goal performance against the Flames that interrupted a streak of three goals in 29 games. Pierre-Luc Dubois, after a promising start post-injury, has one goal in his last seven games.
The list goes on with Justin Sourdif, Ethen Frank, Anthony Beauvillier, Brandon Duhaime, and Hendrix Lapierre all struggling to find the net consistently. In fact, in the nine games since the Olympics, 11 forwards have combined for just 11 non-empty net goals. Ryan Leonard stands out with four goals in the same span.
In essence, the Capitals' scoring woes aren't isolated incidents but a collective slump. This scoring drought is a key factor in their current standings, and it's not just about the power play misfiring. If the Capitals want to turn their season around, they'll need their stars and supporting cast to find their scoring touch soon.