Running on Empty

"Alex Ovechkin (heard of him?) has scored in just one of the 14 games since January 27, a two-goal effort in a 6-2 loss at Montreal at the end of February. Two goals on his last 45 shots on goal for the game's all-time leading goal-scorer (who still somehow tops the Caps in that category, despite having just four power-play tallies all season, heading for by far a career low)."

"Dylan Strome (16 goals) hasn't scored since January, a 12-game drought that includes 18 unsuccessful shots on goal. Connor McMichael (10 goals coming off his breakout campaign) has scored in one of his last eleven games, a two-goal outburst against the Flames that snapped a stretch of three goals in 29 games."

"There are plenty of reasons the Washington Capitals are fairly extreme longshots to make the playoffs this year, starting with their absolutely horrific power play (30th in the League in net efficiency, 22nd in five-on-four expected goal rate, etc.). A related contributor to their downfall, however, has been how few goals they've gotten in recent weeks from players they depend on to do exactly that."

The Washington Capitals face extreme playoff longshot odds due to multiple offensive failures. Their power play ranks 30th in net efficiency and 22nd in expected goal rate. More critically, the team's primary scorers have experienced significant scoring droughts. Alex Ovechkin has just two goals in his last 45 shots. Tom Wilson has one goal in eight games since the Olympics. Dylan Strome hasn't scored since January across 12 games. Connor McMichael managed only one goal in eleven games. Even defenseman Jakob Chychrun, third on the team in goals, has slowed production. This widespread offensive collapse from multiple key contributors has become a major factor in the team's inability to compete for a playoff position.

Read at Japers' Rink