Washington Capitals Lockout Update
A weekly feature in which we update the performances of the locked-out Caps players.
Nicklas Bäckström: Hot barely comes close to describing just how good Swedish superstar Nicklas Bäckström has been over the past few weeks. United with Caps teammate Alex Ovechkin and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Leo Komarov, Bäckström appeared in three games this week, netting three goals, five assists, eight points, and +3. The Swede, who turned 25 this week, now has 12 points in five games since switching from #99 to #69, and is +7 with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in his 10-game KHL career.
Jason Chimera: Jason Chimera joined the Pirates of Chomutov of the Czech Extraliga last week, but has had a slow start to his European season. In five games, Chimera has just one goal, and is -3. Still, the Canadian, how played in Italy in 2004-05, should start producing again once he adjusts to the bigger rinks.
Joey Crabb: After a rocky start to his ECHL career with his hometown Alaska Aces, Joey Crabb has really turned it on in the last few weeks, and this week was no different. Though he only managed an even plus/minus rating in his three games, Crabb had two goals and three assists. That brings his season tally up to eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points through 17 games. His rating is +3.
Marcus Johansson: Much like Crabb, Marcus Johansson’s start did not necessarily go as planned, but is turning around. He may have been slow out of the blocks, but has been good in the past few weeks. Mojo appeared in two games this week, both wins, scoring two goals and two assists and going +3. Johansson, who has now appeared in six games for his league-leading BIK Karlskoga, has four goals, three assists, and -3 on the year.
Brooks Laich: Did not play after returning to the US for injury. Expected to return to action on Friday.
Michal Neuvirth: Michal Neuvirth’s Sparta Praha have enjoyed an incredible resurgence recently. After struggling all year and scraping the bottom of the Extraliga, the team has won five straight, including three this week. Neuvirth has played a big part, and this week posted a .955 save percentage with one shutout. On the year, Neuvirth’s stats stand at six wins (16 games), a 2.83 goals against average, and a .920 save percentage.
Alex Ovechkin: Bäckström may have been hot, but captain Alex Ovechkin sure hasn’t been bad himself. In three games, Ovi posted three goals and two assists for five points and was +3. Through 19 games, the Russian has nine goals and 12 assists and is +9.
Mathieu Perreault: Signed for HIFK of the Finnish SM-Liiga and will debut this week.
Wojtek Wolski: Polish KH Sanok currently participating in European Continental Cup.
Stanislav Galiev, Braden Holtby, Tomas Kundratek, Dmitry Orlov, and Mattias Sjögren will play for the AHL’s Hershey Bears.
Karl Alzner, Jay Beagle, Troy Brouwer, John Carlson, John Erskine, Mike Green, Roman Hamrlik, Matt Hendricks, Jack Hillen, Mike Ribeiro, Jeff Schultz, and Joel Ward have yet to sign.
Tom Poti is injured.
