“It hasn’t fared well analytically at all,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery SEPARATES forward pairing of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov following poor results in 2023-24 season

The Washington Capitals are trying some new tactics as per coach Spencer Carbery as the team continues to struggle going forward in attack.

“It hasn’t fared well analytically at all,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery SEPARATES forward pairing of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov following poor results in 2023-24 season

Spencer Carbery (L) Alex Ovechkin and Evegeny Kuznetsov (R) [Pic Credit: AP]

The Washington Capitals are having a mixed season. While their defense has upped their game, their attack has gone down. Key injuries to players like T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom have put them on the back foot. Coach Spencer Carbery has now taken a massive decision and separated Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

The forward pairing of Ovechkin and Kuznetsov has failed to get the desired impact and result for the team. The duo have been playing together for a while and have enjoyed success before. However, this season they are failing to gel well which has led Coach Carbery to take this massive decision.

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Another major concern for the team has been the form of their captain Ovechkin. “The Great Eight” is having a hard time on the ice field and has scored just five times in 20 games this season. The going out of form of the NHL veteran has impacted the others as well, leading to Carbery being forced to shift his lines and try out something new.

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We're looking at a different look up front... the line, just overall, we’ve been having some success, but it hasn’t fared well analytically at all. So we’ve got to look to make some adjustments and change some things up
Coach Spencer Carbery on separating Ovechkin-Kuznetsov pairing through The Hockey News.

Golden Knights crush Capitals 4-1 despite new tactics and plans

As Spencer Carbery announced that they were trying something new, the fans were eager to see how they would perform. The biggest change was the separation of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Despite all these changes, the fortunes of the Washington Capitals did not change as they suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Jack Eichel turned out to be the hero for the defending champions as he scored once and assisted twice. Tom Wilson was able to pull one goal back, but that was not enough to avoid a huge defeat. Following this defeat, Carbery claimed that their start was fine but control of the game in the second period.

Vegas Golden Knights
A snap from the Golden Knights-Capitals game (Pic Credit: Knights on Ice)
I thought our start was fine. In the second period, they just took over. We weren’t able to generate nearly enough as we needed to, puck-possession wise
Spencer Carbery on team’s 4-1 loss through ESPN

The Capitals now have a 12-7-2 record and sit third in their division. This new tactic and change of plans could be something the team needs to improve their attack even further and get their captain going.

Their next game against the Arizona Coyotes could bring in some answers that Carbery needs. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights continue to rule the Pacific Division table and are looking like a team to beat once again this season.

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