Caps closing in on Presidents' Trophy, Coyotes playing out string (Mar 31, 2017)
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Washington Capitals have a shot at their third 120-plus point season in the last eight years. They are closing in on the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top overall team, they have posted four win streaks of at least six games for the first time in franchise history and they have the NHL's stingiest defense with 170 goals allowed.
That doesn't mean coach Barry Trotz is satisfied. Following the Caps' 5-3 win over Colorado on Wednesday in Denver, their sixth straight win, Trotz lamented his team's recent penchant for letting up after taking leads.
"I didn't like our third at all," Trotz told the Washington Post. "We gave up five three-on-twos, and a couple other potential three-on-twos. That's not how you manage games."
After Evgeny Kuznetsov scored to give Washington a 4-1 lead in the second period, Colorado's Matt Nieto and Nathan MacKinnon scored to cut the lead to one.
"We're a great team when we're really focused and making the right plays," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk told the Post. "The thing we have to focus on now is why we're letting up those 4-1 leads, and it's really just getting a little too casual.
"The reason we get those leads is because we're making the right plays, and we're not doing anything individualistic. We just have to make sure we're maintaining our game plan, and then those leads will go up even more."
The Caps have motivation as the regular season draws to a close. They lead the Columbus Blue Jackets by four points for the Metropolitan Division title with six games left for each team. Following Friday's game in Arizona against the Coyotes at Gila River Arena, the Caps will travel to Columbus for a key showdown on Sunday.
"I'd like to be in a position where we have a three-point cushion in Columbus and go into Columbus and win that hockey game. We'll put ourselves in a real good spot to secure the division. Now we've got to take care of business before we even get there. That's why I say, just win the day and stay focused on the task at hand."
In the Coyotes, the Caps will face a team that has lost seven of its last eight games (1-6-1) and has scored one goal or fewer in six of those games, while allowing 28 goals during the eight-game stretch.
"We're playing in our D-zone too much," defenseman Alex Goligoski said. "When you do that, eventually you break."
With the playoffs out of reach, the Coyotes are playing a lot of young players, including recently signed rookie Clayton Keller, and it is showing in the stats. Arizona has allowed at least 30 shots in 13 of 15 March games, and 40 or more four times.
"There are some challenges right now because you've got some veteran players in there that are probably not happy with the way the season has gone and you've got some young players that are just trying to feel like they fit in the league," coach Dave Tippett said. "There's a whole mixed bag in there that is not exactly ideal."
Coyotes captain Shane Doan should return to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Tippett wanted to see Doan get through a full practice on Thursday before deciding but Doan felt fine. The 21-year veteran could be playing his final season.
Left winger Jamie McGinn rejoined the team after leaving it for a death in the family. He skated Thursday but probably won't play Friday. Defenseman Kevin Connauton (upper body) is day to day. Center Brad Richardson (broken right tibia and fibula) is on injured reserve.
Mike Smith is expected to start in goal for Arizona. Braden Holtby will start for Washington.
