League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

[Kazer]

A few teams going through the struggle right now. New Jersey lost four straight including losses to San Jose and Anaheim before edging out Seattle last night. The Lightning and Bruins have lost four straight. Pittsburgh and Winnipeg have lost three straight. Every team will go through rough patches over the course of 82 games.

January is basically the 'dog days' of the NHL season. We're still quite a ways from the playoffs, but we're a decent chunk into the season.

The Caps are definitely in a mini-slump, but I would be far more concerned if this late Feb/March.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

January is basically the 'dog days' of the NHL season. We're still quite a ways from the playoffs, but we're a decent chunk into the season.

The Caps are definitely in a mini-slump, but I would be far more concerned if this late Feb/March.

I don't even know that I call it a slump. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and their longest losing streak is two games. They're inconsistent right now but no more so than other teams around the league.

 

[Kazer]

I don't even know that I call it a slump. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and their longest losing streak is two games. They're inconsistent right now but no more than other teams around the league.

I agree on record. Their underlying play is definitely in a slump though. They have struggled to win the xG battle (I use moneypuck) in pretty much all of their recent games. Even when they have won that battle, they've lost the 5 on 5 battle (Boston on NYE is a good example) whereas earlier in the year they were dominating.

December 16 is the last time the Caps won the xGF battle at 5 on 5 by more than half a goal (ironically a game they lost).

Not that I expect the Caps to dominate the xGF battle every game, but I also don't like losing it handily to teams like Buffalo and Detroit.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I agree on record. Their underlying play is definitely in a slump though. They have struggled to win the xG battle (I use moneypuck) in pretty much all of their recent games. Even when they have won that battle, they've lost the 5 on 5 battle (Boston on NYE is a good example) whereas earlier in the year they were dominating.

December 16 is the last time the Caps won the xGF battle at 5 on 5 by more than half a goal (ironically a game they lost).

Not that I expect the Caps to dominate the xGF battle every game, but I also don't like losing it handily to teams like Buffalo and Detroit.

I think moneypuck had them with a clear advantage in the “Deserve to win-o-meter” vs the Rangers but yeah, it’s been a mixed back. They’re definitely not overpowering teams on a consistent basis like they were but to me that’s expected.