Aliaksei Protas apologizes to Capitals followers after string of poor performances on offense: ‘We know it’s not a enjoyable time to observe us proper now’

The Washington Capitals have been good at producing probabilities, however have had a tricky time scoring targets early this season.

Through 11 video games to begin the yr, the Capitals have lit the lamp 28 instances and are averaging 2.55 targets per sport — the fifth-worst price within the NHL. While their complete targets have lagged, the Capitals are producing, per Money Puck, the fifth-most anticipated targets (41.36) in any respect strengths. This means the Capitals are failing to transform on their probabilities, leaving roughly 13 targets off the desk. Their solely saving grace has been their goaltending.

The Capitals’ newest defeat, on account of their inept offense, got here on Friday in a 3-1 house loss to the New York Islanders, who had performed the night time earlier than. The Caps dominated within the first interval, outshooting a drained Isles crew 13 to six, however couldn’t rating. The Islanders finally discovered their sea legs within the closing 40 minutes and beat Logan Thompson twice, simply sufficient to seal the victory.

Th failing marked the Capitals’ third straight loss, a span throughout which the crew has scored solely twice and has been outscored by their opponents a mixed 11-2. The poor stretch led a number of crew leaders to say Friday night time that the Capitals wanted to seek out one other stage of their sport and play more durable. Aliaksei Protas went a step additional and issued an apology to followers.

“We know it’s not a fun time to watch us right now,” Protas stated postgame. “Grateful to those fans who stayed with us until the end and watch us and support us. We really appreciate that. We take full responsibility, and we’ll be better for sure.”

He added, “Obviously, the whole course of this losses is frustrating for sure. We’re having a tough time finding offense right now. And, we’ll find it. You know, we’re staying together. We believe we’re a good team.”

One of the Capitals’ largest struggles has been its energy play, the place the crew is changing on solely 16.7 % of its probabilities — the ninth-worst conversion price within the NHL. The Caps went 0 for 4 in opposition to the Islanders, managing solely three photographs complete — two from Alex Ovechkin and one from Anthony Beauvillier.

“I feel like we were overthinking sometimes, like we just got to start to make it simple,” Protas defined. “I think we just got to be like all together at the same page. Start to make simple plays and go from there. But it’s like nothing will work without the work ethic, you know? Like working off the puck to support each other, sacrifice for each other. Sometimes take a hit to make the play. I don’t think we’re doing a good job of that.”

Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson, who has scored three of the crew’s six power-play targets this season, was extra blunt.

“It’s not good enough, obviously,” Wilson stated. “It’s on the players on the ice at the end of the day to go out and make it happen. I don’t want to talk too much about it. It’s just not good enough. We’ve got to fix it quickly. It’s costing us games.”

The Capitals have been with out Dylan Strome for 2 video games and with out Pierre-Luc Dubois 5 instances to begin the season, with PLD struggling one other harm final night time in opposition to the Islanders.

“Everyone’s going to have to step up,” Wilson stated. “We’ve got some big names out. It’s not an excuse. Just everyone just needs to give a little bit more. Each guy is going to have to collectively try and fill those voids. It’s not new to anyone. That’s hockey. It’s part of the gig. We just got to pull together and play well as a group, make plays, get our confidence back, and win some hockey games starting [Saturday] night (against the Buffalo Sabres).”

He added, “We need better, 10 percent better from every guy, myself included, and we’ll be all right.”