Stars and Sticks
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Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Hurricanes

By Michael Marzzacco

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 28: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the warmups of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on December 28th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 28: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the warmups of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on December 28th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/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

Something rare happened on Saturday night. Nope I’m not talking about a Capitals loss or even Jakub Vrana scoring another goal. It was the type of goal Vrana scored that was different. For the first time this season and in over a year, Vrana scored on the power play.

After Miles Wood was called for high sticking Richard Panik at 6:17 in the second period, the top unit went on the attack. After some commotion in front of the net, Vrana was there to rebound the puck in the net backhanded style.

It was Vrana’s 20th goal of the season and his fifth goal in his last five games. It was also Vrana’s first power play goal since Jan. 8, 2019 when the Caps beat the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vrana joins Alex Ovechkin as the only other Capital to join the 20-goal club. It took Vrana 46 games to reach 20 goals compared to 70 games last season. 19 of Vrana’s 20 goals have come on even strength, ranking him tied with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for third in the league in even strength goals.

Vrana is the only player to have 42 even strength goals over the last two seasons while scoring just two power play goals.

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