Capitals Look to Rebound Against Wild After St. Louis Shutout
The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul this Tuesday night, looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues last Saturday. The defeat marked the fifth time this season that the Capitals have been shut out, a statistic not seen since the 2018-19 campaign. With offensive struggles plaguing the team—scoring one or fewer goals in 16 of their 44 games—the Capitals are eager to turn the tide as they continue their season.
Offensive Drought and Practice Focus
The Capitals' recent performance against the Blues saw them muster only 18 shots on goal, with periods passing without a single shot on target. This offensive drought was in stark contrast to a previous encounter where Washington had successfully limited the Blues to just 12 shots at 5-on-5. Following an off day in Minneapolis on Sunday, the Capitals hit the ice for practice on Monday, focusing on rectifying the offensive issues that hindered them in their last outing.
Caps' coach Spencer Carbery expressed determination to improve the team's play. "We're going to get to work," he stated, emphasizing the need for a more effective offense. "There’s a lot of things that we failed to do in that St. Louis game that we need to do a way better job of offensively," Carbery added. He also noted that the team addressed these shortcomings and hopes to see improvements implemented in the upcoming games.
Underdog Status and Team Stats
Despite their challenges, the Capitals are preparing to enter the matchup against the Wild as underdogs. Key players like Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, both with 28 points this season, alongside John Carlson who has contributed 26 points, will be crucial if Washington is to overcome their underdog status and secure a victory.
In net, Darcy Kuemper has appeared in 23 games and holds a .895 save percentage, a figure the Capitals will look to improve upon as they face a Wild team led by Kirill Kaprizov, who boasts an impressive 42 points. Supporting Kaprizov are Joel Eriksson Ek with 36 points and Mats Zuccarello with 35, forming a formidable offensive trio for Minnesota.
Injury Woes on Both Sides
Both teams are grappling with significant injuries. The Wild's Jared Spurgeon is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to hip and back issues, while Sam Hentges is out with an undisclosed injury. Additionally, Frederick Gaudreau and Marc-Andre Fleury are listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries, and Connor Dewar along with Vinni Lettieri are dealing with lower-body injuries.
The Capitals are not without their own injury concerns. Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Bäckström remain out with injuries, and Sonny Milano is currently battling an upper-body injury. These absences leave gaps in the lineup that Washington will need to fill in order to compete effectively against Minnesota.
Looking Ahead
As the Capitals gear up for their clash with the Wild, the focus remains on overcoming their scoring woes and capitalizing on their practice efforts. Coach Carbery's comments reflect a team aware of its shortcomings and dedicated to making the necessary adjustments. With the Capitals striving to reignite their offensive firepower and navigate around their injury setbacks, Tuesday's game in St. Paul promises to be a critical juncture in their season.
With the stakes high and both teams eager to claim the win, fans can expect a competitive and intense matchup. The Capitals hope that their preparation pays off, allowing them to return to form and climb back into a favorable position in the standings.