Does anyone want to talk about the Capitals

[SkinsFan09]

Regardless of xGF, Corsi etc. the big different between this Capitals team and those of recent years is the skating ability is levels higher. Wilson, PLD, McMichael, Protas, Strome etc. all have legit speed.

The Penguins eliminated the 2016 and 2017 Capitals with speed and counter-rushes off turnovers. By finally giving some of the younger players time in 2018 the Capitals had enough skating ability to win the Cup. Replacing Oshie and Backstrom in their current states significantly upgrades their ability to get to pucks first and to score off the rush.

Again it's the playoffs, anything can happen in this sport either way.

 

[TheBeard]

The fact that Winnipeg and Washington leads the NHL in points and it's not particularly close (I believe there's an 8 point gap between Winnipeg and the next team - Dallas, which makes what Winnipeg is doing even more impressive) is insane.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Well he currently has an on ice shooting % of 14.47.

Dubois is doing good by the underlying numbers, but he is currently putting up Patrice Bergeron results, without Patrice Bergeron underlying numbers.

You confident the shooting percentage advantage will hold strong throughout the playoffs?

I have no idea. Have never seen PLD in the playoffs, in a Caps uniform.

Isn’t that moving the goalposts, a little bit?

IF he performs as he has all season? Then Yes. I’m pretty confident.

But the playoffs are a different beast. So I cannot say.

 

[Mr Nogatco]

Well he currently has an on ice shooting % of 14.47.

Dubois is doing good by the underlying numbers, but he is currently putting up Patrice Bergeron results, without Patrice Bergeron underlying numbers.

You confident the shooting percentage advantage will hold strong throughout the playoffs?

 

[LexAsh]

Carbery should be the runaway Jack Adams winner. He is the single biggest difference. And Hershey is great at loading up the parent club. Caps are going to be a big problem in the playoffs, but i've never been a fan of goalies who exhibit weasel behavior. Sexy regular season, but LT has never done anything in the playoffs. Here's your chance.

 

[Summer Rose]

Regardless of xGF, Corsi etc. the big different between this Capitals team and those of recent years is the skating ability is levels higher. Wilson, PLD, McMichael, Protas, Strome etc. all have legit speed.

The Penguins eliminated the 2016 and 2017 Capitals with speed and counter-rushes off turnovers. By finally giving some of the younger players time in 2018 the Capitals had enough skating ability to win the Cup. Replacing Oshie and Backstrom in their current states significantly upgrades their ability to get to pucks first and to score off the rush.

Again it's the playoffs, anything can happen in this sport either way.

Tell me more about Dylan Strome’s skating. It was a big weakness of his during his time on the Coyotes. I’m surprised that he’s turned around. Also, I’m genuinely asking, not doubting you, just to be safe about being clear.

 

[Herregud]

Tell me more about Dylan Strome’s skating. It was a big weakness of his during his time on the Coyotes. I’m surprised that he’s turned around. Also, I’m genuinely asking, not doubting you, just to be safe about being clear.

Intruding here...

In Strome's case, I think it's less him being fast and more him just being wicked smart and knowing how to position himself advantageously (...offensively). Much the same as Ovechkin who, according to NHL Edge, actually has a higher top speed than Strome this season.

His skating is still a weakness, but he compensates.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Yeah, I would say Strome is just good enough as a skater. Dubois is way better. Faster and a lot stronger on his skates. Strome is pretty good in tight areas, though. So in the offensive zone, you don't really notice his skating as a weakness, but in transition, it's a lot more noticeable.

He's leading the team in scoring, but I think all of Dubois, Protas, and Wilson are more important players in the top 6.

 

[SkinsFan09]

It's less about Strome being a Marion Gaborik clone and more about the Capitals past rosters looking like they were in quicksand.

 

[GRob83]

They've lost multiple games in a row in regulation only 3 times this season. That includes a 3 game losing streak at the end of February. Since then they have gone 9-1-0. One concern, and I'm being picky here. Jakub Chychrun has 18 Goals, the rest of the defense has combined for just 16 Goals. If he gets injured it might be a big problem but so far he's been a fantastic addition to the team.

 

[Calicaps]

They've lost multiple games in a row in regulation only 3 times this season. That includes a 3 game losing streak at the end of February. Since then they have gone 9-1-0. One concern, and I'm being picky here. Jakub Chychrun has 18 Goals, the rest of the defense has combined for just 16 Goals. If he gets injured it might be a big problem but so far he's been a fantastic addition to the team.

FWIW, John Carlson's had FOUR goals called back on challenges. And the lack of consistency between those rulings has been mind-boggling.

 

[Calicaps]

Tell me more about Dylan Strome’s skating. It was a big weakness of his during his time on the Coyotes. I’m surprised that he’s turned around. Also, I’m genuinely asking, not doubting you, just to be safe about being clear.

But it's also true that a LOT of the guys on this team: Wilson, Strome, McMike, Protas... as well as several of the Caps prospects... have seen huge improvements in their skating thanks to working with the team's skating coach Wendy Marco. Not that they're all suddenly Guy Lafleur, just much better than where they started.