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Washington Capitals: Andre Burakovsky’s Confidence is Soaring

ByMichael Marzzacco|
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Michal Kempny #6 after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils in the first period at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Michal Kempny #6 after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils in the first period at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Andre Burakovsky has scored a goal in each of his last three games and has been on a tear since the trade deadline. All the Washington Capitals fans that have said he should have been traded owe him an apology.

Washington Capitals left winger Andre Burakovsky, similarly to the previous two seasons, got off to a slow start to begin the season. He didn’t record a single point in his first eight games. Then Burakovsky scored his first goal in Edmonton and would go on to score five goals and record three assists (8 points) in his next 20 games. Then Burakovsky went on a stretch of 14 games recording just three points, all assists.

As the weeks wore on, fans were getting tired of Burakovsky’s inconsistent play. Many wanted General Manager Brian MacLellan to trade him. Other teams inquired and several scouts showed up at the games in January and February. He had eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in the 15 games before the trade deadline. Scouts were impressed but no deal could be reached. MacLellan and the Capitals put their faith and their trust in Burakovsky and decided to keep him. Burakovsky’s play during this stretch that was just mentioned to now has rewarded that trust.

In the Capitals five games since the trade deadline, there was only one time Burakovsky was not on the scoresheet. Burakovsky has scored in his last three games including in last night’s Capitals 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.

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Slow starts, injuries and inconsistency seemed to be the thing about Burakovsky. He was scratched from the lineup numerous occasions by their previous coach Barry Trotz. Part of it was to give him a mental reset. When he came back in, he sometimes scored. Burakovsky has been scratched six times this season but a big positive has been his health, not just physically but mentally.

As a fan, I support my team and who the guys are. When I hear Capitals fans bashing Burakovsky, it makes me feel for him as I know players are people as well. We all read things on social media and players are no different either. If you’re posting negative comments on their Instagram or Twitter, they’ll see it. It’s up to them on whether to tune it out or let it bother them.

Last season after Burakovsky was scratched from the lineup in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, an opponent whom the Capitals will see next Saturday, he told the media that he would be working with a sports psychologist over the summer. It seemed like that help had paid off with his recent resurgence.

Burakovsky has recently found a home on the fourth line but like this article from Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post notes, the fourth line might be more viewed as a promotion than a demotion. Burakovsky lines up alongside Nic Dowd and Travis Boyd and the recent production has been tremendous.

GMBM made a big decision in keeping Burakovsky and not trading him. He’ll have an even bigger decision to make this summer. Burakovsky will be a restricted free agent, along with three other players (Dmitrij Jaskin, Jakub Vrana, Chandler Stephenson).

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