Washington Capitals: The Third Line Flourished Last Night in Philadelphia

The Washington Capitals got back on track with a 5-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers. A big key to their victory was the success of the third line.

The Washington Capitals viscous third line three-headed monster of Carl Hagelin–Lars Eller–Brett Connolly was more frightening than Gritty on the Wells Fargo Ice on Thursday night. The trio combined for three of the five Capitals goals scored on the night. Perhaps the biggest X-Factor for the Capitals was Brett Connolly. He had a three-point night, two goals and an assist. That wasn’t to say Hagelin and Eller weren’t big factors either.

Hagelin continues to adapt well to his new home in D.C. Hagelin knows all about the Philadelphia rivalry from spending time with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, who are also villains to Flyers fans. On Thursday night, Hagelin assisted on Eller’s goal as well as Connolly’s second.

Hagelin had a highlight-reel worthy goal that Sunday night at home against Winnipeg and made an appearance in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. In a weird sight for Penguins fans, the team played a nice touching tribute video and Hagelin got a big ovation from the crowd. This time, it wasn’t quite too strange on the other side of Pennsylvania. Hagelin suited up with the Capitals against these same Flyers eight days prior in a game that saw the Capitals win 5-3. Just like on Thursday night, Hagelin had an assist on Connolly’s goal in that game. All the reasons Capitals fans hated Carl Hagelin are the reasons they like him now.

Eller has had three goals in his last four games. The previous two came on empty net goals to seal home Capitals victories over the weekend against New Jersey and Winnipeg. Eller had a +3 in 19:05 and had a 42.1 percent success rate on the face-off dot.

Back to Connolly. Connolly’s two goals put him at 19 on the season, a career-high. He also nearly got the hat trick. Capitals head coach Todd Reirden even moved him up to the second line with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie to try to complete the three-goal feat.

“It’s definitely the most fun I’ve had playing hockey, this year,” said Connolly.

He’s been on fire and with this season being a contract year, he’s due for a big payday this summer whether it be by the Capitals or elsewhere.

“I don’t think a lot of wingers playing on the third line and not playing on the power play are going to get 20 goals,” Lars Eller said after the game. “You’re certainly getting a lot of value with Brett. You’re getting a lot of bang for the buck for sure.”

A bottom-six winger getting 20 goals in a season is a rarity but it is bound to come soon. In fact, it could happen on Saturday night against the very team that drafted him: the Tampa Bay Lightning. Connolly and the Capitals clash with the Bolts in a Saturday night showdown at 7 p.m.