Niklas Backstrom And Tom Wilson He returned to the Washington Capitals’ active roster one week ago today. The team then went on to have its worst week in over a month, including Drop consecutive games to the Philadelphia Flyers.
For two of those games, Anthony Mantha It was healthy scratching. For the third, it was Dylan Strom who was the Let the strange man come out. Coach Peter Laviolette has had to make some tough choices lately, and I think we can help him.
Now here are all the reasons to scratch – and not scratch – every capital letter forward.
Anthony Mantha
Why do hats have to scratch him?: He doesn’t play for special teams, but more importantly, he doesn’t play The right way, which I guess means winning board battles. I’m not sure. you tell me.
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: No matter how he does it, Unequivocally leading play in Washington’s favour. Mantha’s 54.9 percent on-ice shot attempt percentage is the highest among full-time forwards, and is marred by Cubs goaltenders who save 89.5 percent of shots behind him, the lowest among forwards.
Marcus Johansson
Why do hats have to scratch him?His seven points in a five-on-five game are the fewest among full-time forwards.
Why hats definitely shouldn’t scratch him: Johansson has proven to be excellent in the no-man’s-land and is often a key asset in the power play. His targets above replacement (GAR, according to Evolving Hockey) are The second highest level among attackers.
Agate Hathaway
Why do hats have to scratch him?He’s a player in depth who has the lowest average ice time among full-time forwards (12:06), while also being set for the most penalty minutes.
Why hats definitely shouldn’t scratch him: Hathaway’s lines with Nick Dodd are quite simply the team’s most dependable lines – and among the best in the entire league When measured against expected goals.
Sony Milano
Why do hats have to scratch him?Milano went without signing last summer. Aside from Nicholas Op-Koppel, the last player added by the team. Last in first out.
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: Milan have been an attacking dynamo, with points averages behind only Kuznetsov and Sheary, while goalscoring averages only behind Ovechkin (and Dowd, although that’s a different matter).
Lars Eller
Why do hats have to scratch him?: With the bottom six position on a team suddenly flush with the quarterback, Eller doesn’t stand out as a play-by-play driver. His $3.5 million contract with AAV expires this summer, so he likely won’t be in the team’s long-term plans.
Why hats definitely shouldn’t scratch him: He was probably Washington’s best tackler against the Flyers on Saturday night, with the exception of that nonsense penalty. Eller showed a lot of chemistry when he teamed up with Milano and Mantha.
Nick Dodd
Why do hats have to scratch him?: Far from Garnet Hathaway, Dowd’s lines have never been so good.
Why hats should definitely not scratch himkisa: It was phenomenally dowdy. His next goal would tie his career high for a single season. His scoring rate during five-on-five is higher than Ovechkin’s, and when he’s on the ice, his opponents score less than all but four of his full-time forwards. Crucially, he plays on PK and takes head-to-head.
Evgeny Kuznetsov
Why do hats have to scratch him?Kuznetsov’s defensive play has gone downhill since his renaissance last season. Opponents generate expected goals against Kuznetsov at a higher rate than any other attackers except for his most common teammates.
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: Out of 475 attackers, Kuznetsov’s first-aid rate ranks 10th. It’s a genius arcade, proving that with the right support it can still crack a game.
Alex Ovechkin
Why do hats have to scratch him?: comfort? load management? I don’t know. Something about getting him out of the All-Star Game? I don’t know. It is indestructible and does not age. I literally don’t know.
Why hats should definitely not scratch himHe is the face of the franchise, with 84 goals.
Dylan Strom
Why do hats have to scratch him?: Doesn’t take confrontations. Penalties do not kill.
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: Strome has been Alex Ovechkin’s best position this season. Their trio with Sheary controlling 55 percent of projected goals on the ice when he’s on the ice. Strom has the essential assists on five of Ovechkin’s 30 goals.
Connor Cherry
Why Hats Should Scratch Him: In addition to the obvious (smol) reason, Sheary’s defensive shortcomings (oh dear) sometimes dwarf (oh my god) his offensive stature (what did I do).
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: To the endless frustration of all who would like the Caps to better develop their youth, Cherry continues to exceed expectations, especially with his offense during a five-on-five play, with Cherry trailing only Ovechkin in expected goals average on the ice. Sherry trails only Kuznetsov and Mantha in the first assist rate between caps forward.
TJ O’Shea
Why do hats have to scratch him?: The Capitals had the fewest pucks when Oshie was on the ice (47.1 percent of total shot attempts). HockeyViz doesn’t think highly of Oshie’s offense This season, I wonder if he might play because of an injury.
Why hats should definitely not scratch him: During both equal power and power plays, Oshie is a presence in the crease, making him either an effective screener or a dangerous passing partner.
Tom Wilson
Why do hats have to scratch him?: something something something Ryan Reeves? I have nothing.
Why hats should definitely not scratch himkisa: He just got here.
Niklas Backstrom
Why do hats have to scratch him?Have you seen him skate?
Why hats definitely shouldn’t scratch him: Still can’t believe it with the disc.
I choose Peter Laviolette. Although I think he made some big mistakes, I have to admit he’s in a tough spot. Suddenly, the team had everything they wanted: Backstrom back, Wilson back. And in classic monkey claw fashion, it completely destroyed the team’s victory momentum.
These are not easy decisions for Lafollette to mess with. And it will be very, very difficult to do anything Need To be did.
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Banner photo: Alan Dobbins