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Washington Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Blackhawks

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) starts an attack during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16, 2019, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals signs autographs for fans on Rock The Red Carpet before the home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#3 Michal Kempny

Michal Kempny‘s second game back comes against his former team in the former building he once used to call home in his NHL career.

Friday was Kempny’s first game back and he scored a huge goal to jolt the Capitals fans who have waited a long time to see him back on the ice.

Kempny missed the first eight games of the season as well as the previous six and a half months with a lower-body, hamstring injury. He got third pairing minutes with Radko Gudas for a total ice time of 14:24 and he’ll once again line up there tonight.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Michal Kempny #6 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Overall it’s a good pairing, two young and physical blueliners plus it doesn’t mess with the chemistry between Jonas Siegenthaler and John Carlson, the latter tied for the most points in the NHL.

Kempny returns to the United Center, where he suited up at home before the Capitals acquired him in the 2018 trade deadline where he became an important piece in their Stanley Cup run.

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