Capitals: Top 3 players to watch against Devils

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) smiles during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) smiles during the Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 7, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jakub Vrana

Jakub Vrana has been heating up of late and his momentum continues to rise. Vrana has scored 19 goals this season. Vrana has had a nice streak going with four goals in his last four games.

All 19 of Vrana’s goals have come at even strength this season which is tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for the third most in the NHL. Vrana has 43 total goals in his last two seasons, 42 coming at even strength, five-on-five, which ranks 11th in the NHL.

Vrana is the only player in the NHL to have at least 40 goals over the last two seasons and only one power play goal. It is quite shocking considering the speedy forward is one of the most effective offensive weapons the Capitals have yet scoring on the power play is a rarity for him.

Per the game notes, Vrana is second in the NHL with 1.80 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five play and tied with Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning for fifth in points per 60 minutes of five-on-five play (2.97).

One may think Vrana may not be getting a lot of power play time but Vrana comes into tonight’s game averaging 1:33 of power play time per game, tied for the 283rd most in the NHL.