The Daily: Mantha Has Poor Start With Caps; Flyers Eye Primeau?

Anthony Mantha had an uneventful opening game this season with the Washington Capitals. Coach Spencer Carbery then made him a healthy scratch in Game 2.  He played Game 3 and didn’t have a shot on goal in a 6-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

The former Detroit Red Wings forward’s contract year with the Capitals isn’t starting well. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Earlier this week, Carbery explained the Mantha issue to Faceoff.com:

“I feel like the biggest thing is offensively,” Carbery said. “There’s no secret he’s an offensive player. He’s not a penalty killer, he’s not a defensive specialist. He’s an offensive player that needs to create and needs to score.

Mantha is hardly the Capitals’ biggest problem. Alex Ovechkin has not scored yet this season and the team’s defensive play was sloppy in Wednesday’s loss to the Senators. Here WHN writer Jared Serre’s story:

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit plays the Ottawa Senators on the road in a matinee game on Saturday. The Red Wings seemed to go downhill last season after they lost back-to-back games to the Senators in Ottawa last season. The Senators dominated them physically and on the scoreboard.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Andrew Copp’s strong start has helped the Red Wings bolt out of the gates in 2023-24.
• Alex DeBrincat‘s early surge has put him at the front of the NHL scoring race
• Lucas Raymond received Sidney Crosby jersey when he was young and he still owns it.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that it’s not just about Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks have a young group of talented players who are helping Bedard shoulder the load. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: Evan Rawal points out that defenseman Cale Makar has put up offensive numbers that exceed the accomplishments of Hall of Famers, such as Bobby Orr. Colorado Avalanche. 

Montreal: Canadiens’ injuries just keep mounting. Montreal Canadiens. 

Philadelphia: Are the Philadelphia Flyers interested in Montreal goalie Cayden Primeau, son of former Red Wings player Keith Primeau. Jimmy Murphy has some details in his paywall trade rumor story. Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ take on their loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena.