Washington Capitals Lockout Update
A weekly feature in which we update the performances of the locked-out Caps players.
(Due to the international break, there was no update last week)
Nicklas Bäckström: Swedish center Nicklas Bäckström, who turns 25 later this month, has continued the strong start to his KHL career in the wake of the international break. After changing his jersey number from #99 to #69, Bäckström appeared in two games since our last update, tallying three goals (by way of a hat-trick) and one assist. He was also +4. Through seven games with Dynamo Moscow so far, the Swede has four goals, three assists, and +3.
Jason Chimera: Jason Chimera became the latest cap to sign in Europe this past week, joining the Czech Extraliga’s HC Chomutov. He is expected to debut this weekend.
Joey Crabb: The only locked-out Cap not affected by the European international break, Alaska Aces (ECHL) winger Joey Crabb dramatically improved in the last couple of weeks. Crabb appeared in six games and scored three goals and four assists. He was +5. Crabb, who has much to prove, is playing well during the lockout, and so far has six goals and eight assists and is +3 in 14 games.
Marcus Johansson: It has been a rocky ride so far for young Swede Marcus Johansson. Mojo appeared in only two games this past week, the first of which saw him score one goal and one assist, and the second of which saw him go pointless, -3, and 0/6 on facoeffs. In his four-game BIK Karlskoga career, Johansson has two goals, one assist, and is -6.
Brooks Laich: It was a slow week for Caps center Brooks Laich and his Kloten Flyers. Laich appeared in only one game since our last update, and did not factor onto the scoresheet. Whether Laich is injured or not is unclear. Through 15 games, Laich has six goals, eight assists, and +8.
Michal Neuvirth: Michal Neuvirth has, more than any other Caps player, struggled since his arrival with Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga, but he was actually very good in the last two weeks. Neuvirth started two games for Sparta, and won both. In 3-2 wins over Skoda Plzen HC and PSG Zlin, Neuvy recorded a 2.00 goals against average and .946 save percentage. Impressive, considering Neuvy has won just three of 12 games, and has a total 3.24 GAA and .914 save percentage.
Alex Ovechkin: After recovering from bronchitis, Alex Ovechkin returned to action this week and was once again solid in limited appearances. In two games, the Caps captain notched two assists to add to his season tally. Through 16 games with his hometown Dynamo Moscow, Ovechkin now has six goals and 10 assists for a perfect point-per-game pace. He is also +5.
Wojtek Wolski: Did not play.
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, Mathieu Perreault, Mike Ribeiro, Jeff Schultz, and Joel Ward have yet to sign.
Tom Poti is injured.
