Stars and Sticks
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Capitals Top Players From The First Half Of The Season

By CJ Witt

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Lars Eller

If you have been reading our stars of the week you would know how high I’ve been on Eller’s play this season. In terms of consistent play I’m not sure there is a player who has been better. Ovechkin and Vrana might be consistent scorers but there are games that go by without noticing them much. I can’t say the same for Eller.

On a line that hasn’t done much scoring Eller has still found a way to be noticeable. He’s found a way to score 11 goals and 27 points as well. Meanwhile his usual linemates have a combined 8 goals and 21 points.

Eller has also jumped up in the lineup due to the top two center missing action. He replaced Evgeny Kuznetsov early in the year due to suspension and filled in for Nicklas Backstrom while he missed time with injury.

Eller’s stats are a little more impressive than the two guys we’ve mentioned before. His Corsi% is a solid 56.23%. He has been on the ice for 300 scoring chances and 257 scoring chances against. His percentage in that stat is 53.86%. His high danger attempts percentage is 51.26% being on the ice for 113 high danger attempts and 107 against.

Eller is fourth on the team in individual scoring chances with 117, behind only Ovechkin, Vrana and T.J. Oshie who has 130. Not bad for your third line center.

If you want to talk about consistency I think the conversation should stop at Eller. I seem to notice him every single game. On a team full of superstars that is saying something. If you have a list of the best players from the first half of the season and it doesn’t include Eller, in my opinion, you’re just wrong.

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