29
The number of shots allowed by the Capitals, against a team in the Atlanta Thrashers who was known mostly for their offense last year. The Caps out shot the Thrash 40-29 in their win, dampening the spirits of Atlanta on the night they raised their Southeast Division Champions banner. Nylander, Erskine and Kozlov each recorded goals for the Capitals.
Last year, Washington was 2nd to last in the league in shots allowed per game (33.3), a far cry from the year before when they allowed 35 per game. This pre-season, though, they allowed 28 per game, and showed a great deal of improvement in puck possession and defensive positioning. Atlanta was 11th in the league last year in shots per game and 16th in goals per game with 2.92 goals per game. By contrast, the Caps allowed 3.35 goals against last year, 5th worst in the league.
Last night, the Capitals drew more penalties (though they were unable to convert on 2 5-on-3's), moved the puck efficiently and kept good positioning in the defensive zone. Brent Johnson looked good last night and could have had a shutout if not for Bryan Little's fluky goal in the 2nd. But the Caps shut down the dynamic offense which included Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Even without Alexander Semin, Washington peppered Kari Lehtonen with 40 shots and got the win.
The number of shots allowed by the Capitals, against a team in the Atlanta Thrashers who was known mostly for their offense last year. The Caps out shot the Thrash 40-29 in their win, dampening the spirits of Atlanta on the night they raised their Southeast Division Champions banner. Nylander, Erskine and Kozlov each recorded goals for the Capitals.
Last year, Washington was 2nd to last in the league in shots allowed per game (33.3), a far cry from the year before when they allowed 35 per game. This pre-season, though, they allowed 28 per game, and showed a great deal of improvement in puck possession and defensive positioning. Atlanta was 11th in the league last year in shots per game and 16th in goals per game with 2.92 goals per game. By contrast, the Caps allowed 3.35 goals against last year, 5th worst in the league.
Last night, the Capitals drew more penalties (though they were unable to convert on 2 5-on-3's), moved the puck efficiently and kept good positioning in the defensive zone. Brent Johnson looked good last night and could have had a shutout if not for Bryan Little's fluky goal in the 2nd. But the Caps shut down the dynamic offense which included Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Even without Alexander Semin, Washington peppered Kari Lehtonen with 40 shots and got the win.
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