Capitals would like to figure out how to win in three-on-three overtime period
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Version 0 of 1. The prospect of fewer shootouts in the NHL this season because of the new three-on-three overtime format had initially brought a tinge of disappointment to new Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie, who has a gift for skills competitions. But on Friday night, readying to take his third shootout strike of the preseason, Oshie looked at the bench in exasperation. “I’m running out of moves already,” Oshie recalled saying. “Let’s start winning this a little earlier so I can keep some of those.” After the Capitals initially struggled with the new three-on-three format, losing their first two preseason games in less than a minute, they’ve played in three shootouts in their last four preseason games, not yet figuring out how to win in overtime, but learning how not to lose. And with an abundance of skilled forwards who excel at shootouts, Washington welcomes getting through the five-minute three-on-three period with the game still tied. It’s not that the Capitals are playing to get to a shootout — their preference would be to win in overtime — but a shootout is a welcome alternative. [Capitals’ penalty kill ‘coming together’ with new faces] “We should be pretty good in the three-on-three,” Coach Barry Trotz said. “But I like our chances even better in the shootout now with guys like Oshie and Kuzy and Holtby and Ovi and you go down the list a little bit. I’m just a little bit behind on the times, I think.” The NHL went to a five-minute, three-on-three overtime period this season as a way to reduce shootouts. Using that format last season, 75 percent of American Hockey League games that went past regulation were decided in overtime. The number was 35.3 percent in 2013-14, when it played a four-on-four overtime format. The Capitals went with expected personnel in its first two preseason games, which were both tabbed to go to overtime no matter the regulation score as a practice for teams. Trotz would send out a center, a winger and a defenseman, and against Carolina and Boston, the period would start in a frenzy to score and quickly end with an odd-man rush at the Capitals goaltender. And so, the Capitals fell in back-to-back overtimes, lasting a combined 1 minute 9 seconds. Trotz then realized Washington should take a more defensive approach, so he started to send out two defenseman and a forward for the initial draw before switching back to two forwards and a defenseman after the first line change. There also wasn’t the same frenetic pace to the overtime, with the Capitals carefully and patiently taking their chances on offense, but also being conservative to avoid leaving the goaltender vulnerable to breakaways. [Capitals’ roster move could clear way for Derek Roy] The result was that no one scored in overtime, and when three exhibition games got to a shootout, Oshie, known for his prowess from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, would go first (and is now 3 for 3), with Evgeny Kuznetsov going second. When Nicklas Backstrom (hip) is healthy and back in the lineup, the Capitals will have even more options. “You don’t want to go there, but with Oshie and Kuzy and Backy, you feel pretty comfortable,” Alex Ovechkin said. “With [Braden Holtby] in net, you feel confident.” When NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with reporters in New York last week, he was cautiously optimistic about the early returns. Through last Monday, 44 preseason games used the new format and Bettman told reporters 75 percent ended with a goal in overtime. The NHL also found the overtime games end quickly, with the additional period averaging 2:49. The Capitals have had a different experience, with more than half of their games that were tied after regulation resulting in a shootout. “It obviously didn’t solve anything tonight,” Holtby said after the Capitals’ 2-1 shootout win over Boston on Friday. “We’ve had three shootouts in six games, so I don’t know if it’s helping.” |