Capitals: Richard Panik Thriving In New Fourth Line Role

Richard Panik wasn’t having the best season on the third line. Since moving to the fourth line, he’s produced with the Washington Capitals.

With the loss of some key depth players last off-season, namely Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly the Washington Capitals needed to find a player or two to fill that void. They needed a guy to come in, play on the third line and score in the 15-20 goal range. With the signing of Richard Panik most thought that Washington had in fact found that guy.

It hasn’t been an easy season for Panik however. A slow start, then an injury to start the season. It’s hard enough to change teams, something Panik can likely tell you. Then add struggling out of the gate when there is some expectation on you and then having to sit out some games.

It was a part of the season I’m sure Panik would like to forget. He has since been “demoted” from his third line spot down to the fourth line thanks to a big trade that saw the Capitals land Ilya Kovalchuk.

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Since the move down the lineup Panik has been a very good player, possibly one of the best forwards night in and night out. That might not be saying much on this team right now. That’s a different discussion for a different night however.

Before going down to the fourth line Panik had scored 7 goals and put up 15 points while 5v5. His advanced stats were pretty good thanks to playing on the third line that has been the best Capitals line nearly all season.

His Corsi rating was 54.26% which was fourth on the team and his scoring chance percentage was 51.65% which was 13th on the team. His high danger attempts percentage was not good at 46.27%, that was all the way down at 21st on Washington.

He also had 74 scoring chances and while on the ice the Caps had 27 goals for and 21 goals against.

Since the move down, Panik has played seven games and his stats look terrific. He has scored two goals and has seven points while 5v5. Those seven points lead the entire team in that span. Alex Ovechkin has the second most with five points. Ovechkin and Garnet Hathaway lead the team with three goals in the last seven games.

Panik’s Corsi rating is 60.32% which is first on the team. His scoring chance percentage is 75% behind only Hathaway, and he trails only Hathaway in high danger attempts percentage as well with a 76.92%.

In the last seven games Panik has 11 scoring chances and while on the ice the Capitals have seven goals for and just one goal against.

For Panik, it’s better late than never in terms of when you start contributing. Quite frankly, I don’t care how, where or when you start to help the team score. If you’re scoring, you’re helping the team.

I’m sure Panik wasn’t thrilled when he got moved down after the Kovalchuk trade, but it is what it is. He’s not out there pouting or throwing in the towel. He has played very, very well since the trade and lineup change.

The way he has played recently and the points he’s putting up deserve some attention and credit. So well done Richard, and keep up the hard work.