Washington Capitals: Justin Williams hangs up his skates
Looking back at Justin Williams’ time with the Washington Capitals.
On the start of free agency on Oct. 9 there was some news around Caps Nation that was buried in the madness of Braden Holtby leaving and Henrik Lundqvist arriving. Former Capital Justin Williams, aka Mr. Game 7, called it a career. Let’s take a look back at his time with the Washington Capitals.
Back on July 1, 2015, the Capitals signed Justin Williams as a free agent. After blowing a 3-1 series lead to the New York Rangers, they hoped Williams’ experience on the big stage would help get the team over the hump. The Caps signed him to a two year, $6.5 million contract.
The Caps would win back to back Presidents Trophies during both seasons and Williams was an impact player on the second line. Williams played in all 82 games during the 2015-16 season and had 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points.
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The next season he had 24 goals and 24 assits for 48 points in 80 games. In the playoffs he made an impact both seasons. He had three goals and four assists for seven points in 2016. In 2017 he had three goals and six assists for nine points including a game winning goal in overtime of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Caps would beat the Philadelphia Flyers and Maple Leafs in the first round but despite that and winning two Presidents’ Trophies would fall short in the second round both years to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ironically, that second year the series went seven games and was the first time Williams lost in a Game 7. Following their second straight second round exit there was some tough decisions to make that offseason and the team didn’t have the money to re-sign Williams.
The 39 year old finished his career with 320 goals and 477 assists for 797 points in 1,264 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and the Caps. He helped the Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, the latter year seeing him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs most valuable player.
In nine career Game 7s Williams had seven goals and eight assists which naturally earns him the nickname “Mr. Game 7.” His 15 career points in Game 7s are the most by any player in NHL history and Williams’ teams went 8-1 in those games.
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Stars and Sticks would like to congratulate Justin Williams on a successful hockey career and wish him the best on his retirement.