Even without star Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals have been playing excellent hockey, and they will look to extend their winning run against the Blue Jackets on Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio.
You can watch the game on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
During his first 19 seasons, the Capitals (19-6-2, in the Metropolitan Division) had lost 33 of their 59 games without Alx Ovechkin in the lineup, including 23 of 36 in the previous ten years.
However, since the 39-year-old captain was sidelined due to a broken left fibula, they have won six of nine games, which is a credit to a roster that was constructed not just to assist him surpass the record but also to get the team ready for the post-Ovechkin era.
They defeated Montreal 4-2 earlier this week thanks to a two-goal performance from Tom Wilson, and they are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
Being a playoff contender has been largely dependent on depth, which has been strengthened over the past few years by the addition of centers Dylan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Eller; wingers Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime, and Taylor Raddysh; defensemen Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, and Rasmus Sandin; and goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson.
Wilson, who has scored nine points on five goals and four assists this run, told reporters, including The Associated Press, that the club is a deep group.On any given night, everyone is sort of stepping up. I believe that men are genuinely playing for each other, and it’s a true team effort.
The Capitals were the league’s top-scoring team with 4.33 goals per game, and Ovechkin had 15 goals when he went down, more than any other player. They remain so, dropping only a little to an average of 4.04. Their defensemen, who finished second-last in blue-line productivity the previous season, are mostly to blame for that, scoring 16 goals.
With 35 points, Strome leads the Capitals, followed by Ovechkin (25 points and 15 goals) and Connor McMichael (26 points and 15 goals).
During third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, Tom Wilson, 43, of the Washington Capitals, celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens. (The Canadian Press/Graham via AP)AP
Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson have taken turns in the net.
Thompson has a 2.48 goals-against average and is 11-1-0-2. Lindgren has a 2.80 goals-against average and is 8-5-0-0.
Columbus is currently in the middle of a three-game homestand and has a 5-4-1 record in its previous ten games (12-13-3, in the Metropolitan Division). The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Blue Jackets 5-3 on Tuesday night.
With 29 points, Zach Werenski is in first place, followed by Kirill Marchenko, who has 27 points and a team-high 10 goals.
Elvis Merzlikins, who has a 9-8-2 record and a 3.06 goals-against average, has started 19 of the team’s 28 games in goal.
More sports news
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!