Washington Capitals key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the Washington Capitals.

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1. Jakub Vrana's goals per game

The Capitals averaged 3.42 goals per game last season, second in the NHL behind the Tampa Bay Lightning (3.47), and a parallel can be drawn between Washington forwards Alex Ovechkin and Vrana. Ovechkin's 48 goals tied for first in the NHL with Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, and Ovechkin's 35 even-strength goals tied for first with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews. Vrana scored 24 even-strength goals last season, tied for 11th in the NHL. Ovechkin's 1.65 goals per 60 minutes led the NHL (minumum 60 games) and Vrana's 1.55 were tied for third with Matthews. Vrana averaged 12:55 of even-strength time on ice per game, 10th out of 14 Washington skaters to play at least 60 games. It's feasible to suggest Vrana could increase his goals with additional ice time.

2. Dmitry Orlov's shot attempts percentage

Washington's shot attempts percentage of 51.6 percent tied for seventh in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche last season. The Capitals out-attempted opponents 3,123-2,930 for a plus-193 SAT differential, which ranked eighth. Center Lars Eller's plus-191 led Washington and was sixth in the NHL at the position. Orlov's plus-165 was first among Capitals defensemen and tied for 16th in the NHL at the position; his positive puck-possession metrics are impressive considering he averaged the 12th-most even-strength time on ice per game (19:52) among defensemen. One concern for Washington is center Evgeny Kuznetsov's minus-147 SAT differential, which was last on the Capitals. Kuznetsov scored 52 points (19 goals, 33 assists) in 63 games and could increase his production with a better SAT differential.

3. Ilya Samsonov's 5-on-5 save percentage

Washington's .913 5-on-5 save percentage was tied for 23rd in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils. Braden Holtby's .897 save percentage was 48th out of 50 NHL goalies to play at least 25 games last season, and his .906 even-strength save percentage was 45th out of 50 goalies playing at least that many games. Holtby signed a two-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 9, so Samsonov has a chance to be the No. 1 option. His .923 even-strength save percentage was 15th among goalies to play at least 25 games.