Garnet Hathaway does not shock anyone with his offensive skills and stats, but this year he was one of the most important players on the Washington Capitals. Playing on the Caps fan favorite fourth line, Hathaway consistently played a physical brand of hockey, often acted as a key agitator, and locked down many opposing top lines.
Hathaway had six goals and 12 assists in 56 games this past season. He only had more points two years ago with the Calgary Flames, but it took 76 games to get 19 points. Hathaway especially showed his value during the Capitals first round matchup against the Boston Bruins. He had two goals and one assist in the five game series, the first points he ever scored in his 18 game postseason career. Hathaway also finished the season with a +7 plus/minus and was +2 in the playoffs.
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No line performed better in the playoffs than the Capitals fourth line grinders. Hathaway, Carl Hagelin, and Nic Dowd all stepped up to the challenge and gave Washington a spark and energy the team often lacked during a disappointing series against Boston.
While their line was tasked with shutting down the Marchand, Bergeron, and Pastrnak line, which they did quite well at the beginning of the series, other lines were being dominated by the Bruins lower lines. And, our offensive production from those lines, which had thrived most of the year, suddenly disappeared in the playoffs. Ironically, the Hagelin, Dowd, and Hathaway line was actually producing more against the Bruins first line.
In the game after the whole Tom Wilson debacle it was Hathaway and his linemates ready to fight right off the whistle against the New York Rangers. Hathaway was always the first to come into a scrum and back up his teammates.
Goals and assists aren’t the reason Hathaway was important and valuable to this team. He is a selfless player who is not afraid to risk his body, block shots, and fight for his teammates. He knows the job he has to do to add value to this team. It isn’t always pretty and doesn’t come with a lot of glory but we all know every Caps fan appreciates all that he does.
Grade B+: Hathaway did his job and did it very well, almost to the point where he could be deserving of an A. But as valuable as he was as a toke Caps fourth liner he still only played 56 games and could only do so much. In his limited time on the ice he was able to make himself heard and his team in any way he could.