Washington Capitals Player Preview: Lars Eller enters an interesting season in 2021-22

Lars Eller enters his sixth season with the Washington Capitals and perhaps an interesting scenario. With an injury to Nicklas Backstrom, he may have to step up from the third line to the second line. He left practice yesterday with a lower body injury but practiced today. Like many of the core, the health of Eller is big for a team trying to get past their first round woes.

Last season Eller missed some time with an injury but still recorded eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points. Though it was definitely a down season for Eller as it was his lowest goals and point totals since joining the team prior to the 2016-17 season.

Like a majority of the team, Eller was silent in the playoffs as he had just one assist in four games. Eller was battling a combination of neck and shoulder injuries. He told the media on the first day of training camp that he’s all healed up.

Eller told the media via Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic (subscription required):

“I don’t know exactly what Nick’s situation is, but if I’m going to be playing more, maybe in his spot, I’ll hold the seat warm for him until he comes back. But I love that challenge. If you ask every player, who wouldn’t like to play more? Who wouldn’t want to be put into those situations? I’m so ready for that. I’m so pumped and excited about that being the potential and I’m going to take big pride in that and I feel I’m capable to carry that weight or whatever you want to call it. I’m pumped. But that being said, we are a better team when Nick is back and healthy and I hope when it comes down to the line that we’ll have a healthy Nick because the team is just going to be better that way and we’re going to have a better chance of winning.”

Eller played in Washington’s first preseason game on Sunday night against the Boston Bruins. He had five shots on goal as well as a hit and a block. He averaged 21:07 minutes of ice time including 4:59 on the power play and 1:20 shorthanded. He was centering a top line that featured Conor Sheary and Garrett Pilon.

It’s good news that Eller’s little banged up situation was minor and that he’s back at practice today. Hopefully he can step up in Backstrom’s absence. The team is counting on him.