Opinion
3 min read

Will the Capitals Weather the Hurricanes at Home?

As the Washington Capitals gear up to face off against the Carolina Hurricanes, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a gripping encounter at Capital One Arena. The Capitals have shown a mixed bag of performances recently, and their upcoming challenge against the Hurricanes will be a true test of their resilience.


Oct 27, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) reacts to the Capitals giving up a shorthanded goal to the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at Washington's recent game on January 4th against the New Jersey Devils, it was evident that powerplay opportunities were not fully capitalized upon. Despite scoring two powerplay goals out of four chances, they fell short with a shooting percentage of just 12 percent compared to the Devils' commanding 21 percent. The Capitals also struggled in faceoff wins, securing only 43 percent which undoubtedly contributed to their loss.


However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for WSH as they showcased an aggressive side with 29 hits and blocked an impressive number of shots (19), indicating a strong defensive effort that could prove vital against CAR's offensive prowess.


The game prior to that on January 3rd saw WSH clinch victory over Pittsburgh Penguins with an assertive first period where they scored all four points leading them to win. Their goaltender saved an outstanding 32 out of 35 shots – a save percentage that stood at perfection – reflecting WSH's ability to hold down the fort when under siege.


In contrast, during their December 31st matchup with Nashville Predators, despite taking it into overtime and shootout rounds, WSH couldn't secure more than two points in regulation time. They faced similar issues in faceoff circles winning only 39 percent but showed tenacity by blocking more shots (21) than they allowed goals (2).


The upcoming clash with CAR is expected to be intense; both teams have demonstrated strong defensive capabilities but will need more consistency in offense if they hope for victory. For WSH fans looking for insight: expect your team’s defensemen and goaltender to put up another solid performance while hoping for better execution on powerplays and faceoffs which could turn tides in favor of Washington.


Capitals enthusiasts should mark their calendars for January 6th when these two teams collide at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for prime time viewing pleasure; you can catch every moment live on ESPN+ nationally or tune into MNMT channel 642 if you're cheering from home territory or BSSO channel 646-1 if following from away grounds.

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