Yesterday’s game was by no means pretty for the Washington Capitals, but they did come away with two points after a wild matinee affair with the New York Rangers. With a final score of 7-4, there are plenty of individual moments to highlight. However, Lars Eller’s goal to open the scoring in the second period felt like a key moment for both the third line and the team as a whole. It appeared to spark a line desperately in need of a boost, and it gave the Capitals a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
Coach Carbery has been tinkering with the third line, trying different combinations in hopes of getting some offense going. Yesterday’s version of the third line featured Connor McMichael centering Jakub Vrana and usual center Lars Eller. Spoiler alert—it worked! While McMichael didn’t record an assist on the goal, he got the entire play started with a beautiful zone entry through traffic to set up possession.
This goal from Eller was his first since November 25 and his first while playing on the wing, both encouraging signs. It also seemed to spark McMichael, who scored his 17th goal of the season—and first in six games—during a second period power play opportunity. Is this the game that helps turn Washington’s third line around? Only time will tell, but the patterns in the tea leaves look positive.
Honorable mention: the goal that came eight minutes later, an absolutely sick play from the fourth line: