T.J. Oshie Out “Day-To-Day” With Upper Body Injury, Nic Dowd Out “Day-To-Day” With Lower Body Injury: Notes From Capitals’ Optional Skate On Sunday

The Washington Capitals returned to work on Sunday for an optional skate following their 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. They next host the Detroit Red Wings on Monday to wrap-up their three-game home stand.
The Capitals changed the practice to “optional” on Sunday morning.

#Caps will hold an optional skate at noon. https://t.co/0OgKUxGcEi

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 18, 2022

The team also announced Sunday morning that forward T.J. Oshie, who suffered a non-contact injury in last nights game against the Maple Leafs (more here), is “day-to-day” with an upper body injury.

Capitals say T.J. Oshie (upper body) and Nic Dowd (lower) are both day to day and will not participate in their optional practice today.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 18, 2022

Nic Dowd (lower body) did not play in Saturday’s game vs TOR and is also “day-to-day”. He also did not skate at the optional today.

STAT OF THE DAY – JUST WIN, BABY

Despite the convincing 5-2 victory, the Maple Leafs took control of possession 11 minutes into the game last night, and led in even-strength shot attempts 63-41 for the game.

The Maple Leafs also led in even-strength expected goals for (xGF) 3.06 to 2.30 for the game. That highlight’s another excellent game by Charlie Lindgren, who was +1.06 in goals differential (xGA – GA).

The next graph plots the expected goals for percentage (xGF%) for each of the Capitals skaters at even strength.

The graph highlights the excellent game played by the Capitals third line of Anthony Mantha, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Sonny Milano. The defensive pairing of Nick Jensen and Dmitry Orlov also had a good game.

[The statistics used in this post are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and the NoVa Caps Advanced Analytics Model (NCAAM). If you’d like to learn more about the statistical terms used in this post, please check out our NHL Analytics Glossary]

DOWN ON THE FARM

After a significant dry spell and demotion to the third line, Jake Karabela is finally beginning to heat up. He scored his third goal in the last four games last night against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

HOME TOWN BOY KARABELA#StormCity |#TheStormisComing pic.twitter.com/bqmTKZ3TPI

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) December 17, 2022

He has eight goals and nine assists in 32 games played and is a -22 on a struggling Guelph team.

SHAVINGS

And finally, one more for the collection:

They’re glowing! I feel like I’m watching hockey in the Metaverse lol pic.twitter.com/dwBAXV17cK

— Vanessa (@bigsportsvan) December 18, 2022

The Capitals honored former arena organist Bruce Anderson at last night’s game. We wish Bruce well in his retirement.

The Capitals next host the Detroit Red Wings at Capital One Arena on Monday night. Puck drop is set for 7PM.

By Jon Sorensen