Here's a wrap up of a tough week for the Capitals.
WASHINGTON -- It's been a tough week for the Washington Capitals.
In addition to not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine years, Washington is in the throes of a six-game losing skid where some of the efforts have been questionable. However, Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers, despite not ending in D.C.'s favor, is proof that the Capitals still do have life and drive in them as they approach their last three games of the season.
That being said, let's take a look back at the week and what lies ahead going into the final days of the 2022-23 campaign with our Capitals wraparound.
Washington Capitals Reads
- There's not too much to play for right now in Washington, but Tom Wilson refuses to pack it in and insists there's still motivation in the room -- and he has shown that by stepping up in this last stretch.
- Speaking of Wilson, he and the Capitals had a few things to say about a controversial punch from the Panthers bench last game, while No. 43 also poked fun at Matthew Tkachuk and other "pests" on Florida's roster.
- Charlie Lindgren also opened up about that tough Tkachuk go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation and what went wrong on his attempted clear.
- And, on a much more fun note, here's the epic story behind Lindgren's mustache, which all started with a love for the 70s and a day at the Minnesota State Fair.
Washington Capitals Injury Updates
- Alex Ovechkin is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. It is unclear if he will be in the mix for Monday's tilt with the New York Islanders.
- T.J. Oshie and Trevor van Riemsdyk remain out of the mix as well with upper-body injuries, and Anthony Mantha is also day-to-day with a lower-body ailment.
- Taking that into account, head coach Peter Laviolette is having "conversations" regarding whether or not we'll see those injured names back in the mix for the final three games.
- Beck Malenstyn is up with the team on an emergency recall. Washington could only make one of these moves during this time and elected to go with No. 47, citing his speed, grit and chemistry on the fourth line with Nic Dowd.
- Malenstyn broke his finger on Nov. 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights after making a case for an extended stay during a five-game stint up in the District. He was then assigned to Hershey, so this is a second chance for him -- and he's hoping to capitalize. More on that tomorrow.
Players & Storylines To Watch
- Dylan Strome has been outstanding and is one goal away from tying his career high. He is on a three-game goal-scoring streak and is second on the team in scoring with 61 points. What a signing he's turned out to be.
- Wilson is also now eight points shy of 300 career points after hitting the 10-goal mark and recording a multi-point game on Saturday. He's been a force to be reckoned with, too, so he should be fun to watch to close out the campaign.
- Despite the loss on Saturday and the tough play at the end, Lindgren had a big bounceback game on Saturday against Florida. He stopped 33 of 36 shots (.916 save percentage) and came up with a few ten-bell stops to boot.
- That being said, I see him getting at least one more game with a back-to-back against the Islanders and Boston Bruins over the next 48 hours.
- Another name to keep an eye on: Conor Sheary. He made a big play to Wilson for the game-tying goal on Saturday and will spend these final games fighting for an extension. His hope is to remain in D.C.
- It's unclear if Ovechkin's injury is serious enough to hold him out for the next three games, but he's at 42 goals and is also on a two-game point streak.