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NHL Power Rankings: Washington Capitals Off to Hot Start in Week 2

By Ryan Ritchie

Oct 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) and Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) celebrates with Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) after their game against the Colorado Avalanche at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) and Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) celebrates with Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) after their game against the Colorado Avalanche at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Power Rankings: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Bourque (57) defends in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Bourque (57) defends in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 2 (+1)

Team Record: (2-0-1)

Player of the Week: Braden Holtby (2gp 1w 1.45GAA .942 save percentage)


Special Teams

Washington is tied for 19th on the PP, operating at 15.4 percent efficiency. They’ve converted two of 13 chances through three games. The Caps are 26th (4th from last) on the penalty kill (PK) allowing two goals on seven opportunities for a dismal 71.4 percent.

Goaltending

Holtby started the first two games for Washington, proving once again why he’s amongst the best in the world. He allowed two goals on 30 shots against Pittsburgh on Oct.13 and one goal on 22 shots against the NY Islanders two nights later. Backup Philipp Grubauer filled in on Tuesday night, capturing his first career shutout.

Defense

Five Caps defenders have recorded an assist through the first three games. As usual, Carlson and Niskanen are assuming a bulk of the minutes, while Dmitry Orlov ranks third taking away some of those extra minutes Brooks Orpik logged in 2015-16 when he was healthy.

Forwards

Washington’s forwards have been somewhat quiet thus far. Alex Ovechkin has a goal and an assist, Nicklas Backstrom has three assists, Evgeny Kuznetsov has one assist. The Caps have been fortunate enough to have three players score two goals in each of their first three games. Andre Burakovsky did it on opening night, Daniel Winnik against the Islanders, and T.J. Oshie on Tuesday night.

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