Stars and Sticks
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Capitals: Top 3 heroes against the Sabres

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 01: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena on November 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 01: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena on November 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 01: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Michal Kempny #6 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 after scoring a goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena on November 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 01: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Michal Kempny #6 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 after scoring a goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena on November 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Michal Kempny

When Michal Kempny wasn’t on the ice, the defense struggled. With Kempny back in the lineup for the first time in forever, it’s a welcome sign for a blueline anchored by a Norris Trophy hopeful in John Carlson.

There’s an old saying where good players make their teammates better. One could say Carlson got better with Kempny back paired in his rightful place next to him.

Kempny additionally has offensive upside and it was shown when he assisted on three goals. First he had a perfect cross-ice feed to Jakub Vrana for his second goal of the game.

Late in the second period, Kempny made a great play to keep the puck in the zone and set up a Tom Wilson deflection to make the Capitals lead 5-1.

Kempny’s best pass of the game came in the third period on the goal by T.J. Oshie. It was a backhanded beauty as Oshie was cutting towards the net.

Kempny played a total of 20:57 and had a shot, hit, block, and takeaway, an all-around good game across the board. He finished with a +3 thanks to his three-point effort. Kempny’s point total is now seven with three goals and four assists in seven games since his return from his hamstring injury.

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