Washington’s midseason doldrums continued Monday night as the Capitals dropped a 1-0 goalie duel to the Las Vegas Golden Nights before a sell-out crowd at Capital One Arena.
The loss drops the Capitals (23-11-9, 55 points) five points behind the first-place New York Rangers. Washington is only one point behind Carolina, but the Hurricanes have played five fewer games because of Covid cancellations.
January has not been kind to the team, and Washington is just 3-5-2 in its last ten games. While the Caps’ post-season position isn’t threatened yet (13 points ahead of 9th place Detroit), players know things must turn around.
“I don’t think we’re concerned at all,” rookie forward Connor McMichael said after the game. “Obviously, we have to figure that out, but it’s a long season. It’s 80 games you’re going to have lulls in your play and wins and losses. I think we’re a team that can get hot and win seven or eight wins in a row.”
The loss wasted a stand-out effort from goalie Vitek Vanecek who stopped 28 of 29 shots. His only mistake was a fatal one, giving up what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the second period to Michael Amadio.
“He played really well. He stopped all of them,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “Guys were pushing. They were firing. We just couldn’t get one past him.”
Laviolette did not say if Vanecek would start Wednesday night again against San Jose. Vanecek has given up 10 goals in the last five games and has outplayed Ilya Samsonov lately.
One problem that needs to be fixed is the power play where Washington ranks 29th this season with a man advantage. The Capitals were 0 for five against Vegas, even failing to convert on a two-man advantage in the third period.
“Just not capitalizing,” said Justin Schultz.” I think we might get a little frustrated not scoring, but we’ve got the players for it. We just have to keep working, and it will come.”