Rasmus Sandin will be player to watch against Devils

Tonight the Washington Capitals will host the New Jersey Devils in a key Metropolitan Division matchup. A key player to watch tonight on the Capitals is none other than Rasmus Sandin who has made the most of his opportunity coming here since getting traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Kings, Sandin recorded two points with a goal and an assist which brought his point total to five through two games with the Capitals with a goal and four assist. His goal was his first scored in a Capitals sweater.

Sandin turned 23 on Tuesday and became the first defenseman in franchise history to record five points in his first two games with the team, eclipsing Brian Pothier’s mark of four points which were all assists in 2006.

Sandin logged a career high of 25:06 minutes of ice time on Monday including 3:11 of power play time. Two of Sandin’s five points with Washington have been power play assists. He recorded three assists in his Capitals debut on March 4 at the San Jose Sharks becoming the first defenseman and seventh skater in franchise history to record three points in his first game with Washington.

In 54 games with the Capitals and Maple Leafs this season, Sandin has already set career highs in games played, assists with 20, and points with 25. He was acquired for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and the Boston Bruins first round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on Feb. 28.

The five foot 11, 182 pound defenseman was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round at 29th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. The Caps held an optional skate this morning but last game he got top pairing minutes alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk showing how much his new team believes in him.

Sandin told Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington: 

"“It means a lot. It’s very fun that they have that belief in you and now it’s up to me to keep playing good to stick in that spot. So, it’s been a lot of fun and it’s fun that the coaching staff believes in me for sure.”"

Some fans believe it’s best for the team to not make the playoffs but don’t tell that to Sandin or any of the players in that locker room. He will look to make an impact in tonight’s game against a Cup contender. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.