Capitals’ Special Teams Are Sabotaging Their Season - No Comeback Can Save Them
The Washington Capitals battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unfortunately, from there, they couldn’t take the lead or get the game to overtime, falling by a 5-3 final score.
I know, you know, they know, everybody knows what was at fault for this loss. Again.
- I actually really liked the majority of five-on-five play for the Capitals, especially considering this was their second game in as many days against a rested Penguins team. The first period was obviously their worst, but they controlled play from early on in the second until the end of the game. The five-on-five expected goals ended 2.55-2.03 in favor of the Capitals.
- Elephant in the room time: the power play and penalty kill are straight up terrible. There’s no sugarcoating, no “bad luck,” none of that. After going 0-for-3 on the power play, the Capitals sit 26th in the league, converting on just 15.2 percent of their chances. After allowing the Penguins to go 3-for-5 on their power play, the Capitals’ penalty kill is now 24th best in the league, killing off just 72.7 percent of opposing chances. Both units need to change.
- Let’s take a different look at how that’s affecting the team’s record. At five-on-five this season, the Capitals have only played three games where they’ve recorded less than 50 percent of the expected goals. They’ve still managed to win two of those games, yet they have an overall record of 7-6-1. Teams obviously don’t win every single game they dominate at even strength, but the only team seeing more of the five-on-five expected goals than the Caps (57.6 percent) this year, the Colorado Avalanche (61 percent), are 8-1-5 and have the most standings points (21) in the NHL.
- Charlie Lindgren also wasn’t great in this game. He made 26 saves on the 30 shots he faced, saving, according to MoneyPuck, 0.06 fewer goals than expected. Not the worst result in the world there, but the third Penguins goal was just really tough to see go in. He’s doing a good job of not having a terrible night where he’s the only reason the team loses, but he’s also not pushing them towards wins either.
- I think the Capitals need to figure something different out with that Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael, and Tom Wilson line. It’s not working. With Protas on the ice five-on-five in the loss, the Caps saw negative differentials in shot attempts (-11), scoring chances (-5), and high-danger chances (-4). I’m not sure if the answer is to trade for a center so McMichael can move back to the wing. That all depends on how severe Pierre-Luc Dubois’s injury actually is.
- Alex Ovechkin looked really good and very dynamic, in my opinion, for the first time this season. Outside of his two assists, he also recorded three shots, 10 shot attempts, five individual scoring chances, two individual high-danger chances, and six hits. With him on the ice five-on-five, the Capitals were up 24-11 in shot attempts, 15-7 in shots on goal, 3-0 in goals, 16-5 in scoring chances, and 8-2 in high-danger chances. His line, also featuring Dylan Strome and Anthony Beauvillier, was excellent.
What Penguins fans did for Alex Ovechkin to honor 900th goal transcends rivalry
The Pittsburgh Penguins have conquered the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during their three championship runs in the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin/Kris Letang era. The Caps vanquished the Pens in the second round en route to their 2018 Cup victory. Although one franchise has clearly gotten the better of the other in the last two decades, a fierce rivalry still exists between both fan bases.
But they are able to put animosity to the side when it comes to paying respect to a legend. The lively crowd in Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena gave Alex Ovechkin a standing ovation during Thursday's 5-3 win versus the Capitals, showing the utmost respect for his unprecedented 900 career goals, per The Washington Post's Bailey Johnson.
This gesture echoes the show of appreciation that Pens fans expressed to Ovechkin after he surpassed the immortal Wayne Gretzky for most goals scored in NHL history last season. Pittsburgh loves good hockey, and even though No. 8 has drawn its ire countless times over the years, the city cannot help but give the man his flowers.
The home crowd's graciousness was ultimately rewarded, as the Penguins (9-4-2) overcame a Capitals comeback and pulled out a win. Sidney Crosby, an icon in his own right, scored twice in the opening period to stunningly grab the league lead in goals at 38 years old. Two of the best to ever skate on the ice in the 21st Century just keep raising the bar for what an aging superstar can accomplish.
They will forever be compared, but as PPG Paints Arena proved on Thursday, there is room for overwhelming deference when the time calls for it.
Colts Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Bold Move Signals Aggressive Future for Indianapolis
In a bold statement that has captured the attention of NFL fans and analysts alike, Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon showed just how serious she is about building a championship-caliber team. Irsay-Gordon, who took over the reins of the Colts following her father Jim Irsay's passing earlier this year, didn’t hesitate to take a significant step toward securing the team’s future.
As the Colts were navigating a promising 7-2 record in the competitive AFC, they found themselves in need of a cornerback following the concussion of Charvarius Ward. Many teams would have opted for a short-term fix at the position. But in a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Colts front office opted to make a major move at the trade deadline, acquiring one of the league's top cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. The price? Two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, a hefty price tag that shows the Colts’ commitment to long-term success.
Irsay-Gordon’s direct approach to the trade talks is what truly sets her apart as an owner willing to do what it takes to bring home a Super Bowl. According to NFL insider Albert Breer of
Sauce Gardner, a standout player for the Jets, is known for his shutdown ability, making him one of the best at his position in recent years. His arrival to the Colts instantly upgrades their secondary, bringing a new level of competitiveness to a defense that is already among the league’s best. With the AFC playoff race heating up, Gardner's addition could be the final piece to put the Colts over the top in a crowded field of contenders.
Irsay-Gordon's hands-on leadership style, paired with her willingness to make aggressive moves, reflects a shift in the Colts' culture. She’s not just inheriting her father's legacy—she’s adding her own stamp to the franchise. From her sideline presence to her strategic decisions, it's clear that Irsay-Gordon is committed to making the Colts a force in the NFL for years to come.
The Colts' bold trade for Sauce Gardner could be a defining moment in the 2025 season. With the team already on a roll and positioned as one of the top teams in the AFC, Gardner's arrival has Colts fans excited for what’s next. If this move pays off, Indianapolis could be poised for a deep postseason run—perhaps one that ends with the ultimate prize.
