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NHL Playoff Power Rankings: St. Louis Falls, Nashville On Top

By Matt Duscharme

May 2, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after a goal by defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after a goal by defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in game four of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Washington Capitals celebrate a game winning goal by defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (RC) in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins in game three of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: 5 (-2)

Team Record: (5-5)

Goals For:

27

Goals Against:

30

Special Teams

PP: (25.8 percent) (2nd)
PK: (84.8 percent) (6th)

Injury List

NONE

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Nicklas Backstrom (10gp 4g 6a 10pts)
Top Defenseman: Kevin Shattenkirk (10gp 1g 4a 5pts)
Top Rookie: NONE
Top Goaltender: Braden Holtby (5 wins 2.59GAA .909 save percentage)

Player of the Week: F Evgeny Kuznetsov (4gp 3g 1a 4pts)

Now, what’s happening with the Washington Capitals? I do not know. What I do know, is this team is being overwhelmed and doesn’t know how to stop it. Alex Ovechkin has stepped up his defensive play all season in order to help the team if they were to make the playoffs. But somewhere down the road, he’s also forgotten how to score.

Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are tied for the team lead in offense with Justin Williams just one point behind. What’s really hurtful to the team is the fact there is only one player who has a plus rating and that is defenseman Nate Schmidt who has somehow held onto a plus-six rating. Kevin Shattenkirk also hasn’t played well only putting up five points in 10 games as well as a rating of minus four. The Capitals definitely need to get to scoring once again or they are once again going to be leaving the party early. Braden Holtby has been great but the way things look is the Capitals are relying on him to carry the team to wins, and that’s no way to win a series especially against the Penguins.

Player to Watch: Nicklas Backstrom

2016-17 stats: 10gp 4g 6a 10pts

Nicklas Backstrom has played great for the Capitals putting up 10 points in 10 games, however, he’s still a minus player. The best corse of action would be to replace Alex Ovechkin on his line with Justin Williams because T.J. Oshie has played great so he’s fine. But Ovechkin just can’t seem to get things going while Williams has been rather clutching when need be. If the Capitals do this, they may squeak out a win or two before it’s all over.

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