Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Capitals’ Five-on-Five Gains Undercut by Special-Teams Struggles as Carbery Emphasizes Process

Poor finishing with weak special teams has left Washington's improved metrics unrewarded.

Overview

  • The Capitals are 7-7-1 through 15 games and sit outside an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
  • Washington ranks near the top of the NHL at five-on-five in shot attempts, expected goals and chance generation, with better metrics than the same point last season.
  • As of November 9, the team has scored 10.1 fewer goals than expected, highlighting a significant finishing shortfall.
  • Special teams rank among the league’s worst, with just 7 goals on 47 power plays and 13 goals allowed on 46 penalty kills, and Spencer Carbery has publicly taken responsibility for power-play decisions.
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois is out three to four months with a lower-body injury, and a difficult November schedule begins with road games at Carolina and Florida.