Carl Knauf

Carl Knauf is an author and master journalist (so the degree says). He specializes in sports--primarily hockey--music, and the publishing industry. His sports writing has been featured on The Hockey Writers, Last Word On Sports, and local newspapers in his home state of New Mexico. Carl covers the Washington Capitals with accurate reporting and detailed analysis to help readers answer basic and burning questions such as, "Why did the Capitals not win the Stanley Cup (again)?" Please share your takes in the comment section at the bottom of every THW article, and also feel free to chat with and follow Carl on Twitter. For interview and feature requests, please visit his Muck Rack profile.

Capitals Must Find 2021 Scoring Touch to Break Slump

January 17, 2022 by Carl Knauf

It’s not looking good for the Washington Capitals at the moment. The team is 1-3-2 since the start of 2022. Other teams have made up ground on them in the…

Capitals’ Current & Future Goals Both Require Rookies Playing More

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 by Carl Knauf

Washington Capitals’ head coach Peter Laviolette’s window to bring another Stanley Cup to D.C. is closing fast. Yes, he has only been at the helm of the team for two…

Capitals’ Recent Struggles Should be Wake-up Call

January 11, 2022 by Carl Knauf

The Washington Capitals had a brutal two-game road trip over the weekend, including a peculiar shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild in the latter match after being handled by the…

Capitals’ Protas Earning His Roster Spot

January 7, 2022 by Carl Knauf

Aliaksei Protas was sent back to the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on Jan. 2. He was back with the Capitals on Jan. 4. Considering…

Capitals Didn’t Lose All Momentum During Pause

January 4, 2022 by Carl Knauf

Well, the pause wasn’t as detrimental for some teams as it was dramatically assumed to be. The NHL returned to action after an extended break and the Washington Capitals picked…

Capitals COVID List Grows, Defense Depleted

December 28, 2021 by Carl Knauf

Tomorrow night, if the game is to take place, will mark 10 days since the Washington Capitals last played a game. They are scheduled to face off against the Nashville…

Capitals Can Take Advantage of COVID Pause

December 23, 2021 by Carl Knauf

It was inevitable—or seemingly so for seasoned skeptics. The NHL has paused their season amid the spread of the Omicron variant. An optimist might consider it an extended holiday break.…

Capitals’ Sprong Failing to Live up to Expectations Set in 2020-21

December 15, 2021 by Carl Knauf

At the beginning of the 2021-22 season, the Washington Capitals needed an X-factor to emerge on offense. Luckily for them, Evgeny Kuznetsov started playing at the level he’s capable of…

Capitals’ Slump Resistance Points to Playoff Potential

December 13, 2021December 13, 2021 by Carl Knauf

The Washington Capitals have lost 11 of their 28 games so far, six of which occurring in overtime or a shootout. The team’s 40 points is currently best in the…

Capitals Are Keeping Stanley Cup Window Wide Open This Season

December 10, 2021 by Carl Knauf

After a rivalry-infused realignment last season, the NHL restored its divisions in 2021-22. The east is loaded; six of the top seven teams are from the conference, and the Atlantic…

Capitals’ Defense is Keeping Them Atop the NHL Standings

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 by Carl Knauf

At the start of 2021-22, the Washington Capitals had some questions to answer about their blue line. A majority of the defense was aging and accounted for a little less…

Capitals Must Continue Goalie Rotation of Samsonov and Vanecek

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021 by Carl Knauf

The Washington Capitals don’t have the luxury of a veteran franchise goalie that can meet the demands of a full season. Well, not yet at least. They do, however, have…