Top 3 Capitals studs against Ducks
The Washington Capitals got a 5-4 win last night over the Anaheim Ducks. For our general game story click here. Read on to find out who the top 3 studs were from the game. We all know who’s number one but what about the other two?
#3 Nic Dowd
Lost in the madness that is the number one stud and what he did was a goal from Nic Dowd which was his second goal of the season. Dowd dealt with injury woes this season and last year but he’s been a key center for the fourth line for quite some time.
Dowd’s goal came on a shot from Rasmus Sandin where Dowd was in front of the net and tipped it in. He also won 11 of his 16 face offs on the night for a nice face off win percentage of 69 percent.
Dowd’s goal was the Caps’ fourth goal of the game and came 20 seconds after their third goal which was the second fastest pair of back to back goals scored by the Caps this season. The faster mark was 15 seconds back on Nov. 10 at the New Jersey Devils.
Four on the board! pic.twitter.com/40ktYD6qsn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 1, 2023
Dowd has shown his reliability over the years on both the fourth line and the face off circle.
#2 Anthony Mantha
Anthony Mantha has been on fire whether Caps fans want to admit it or not. After a goal the previous night against the Los Angeles Kings which also resulted in a Caps win, Mantha once again scored but this time in quick fashion to start the game.
Mantha would capitalize on a Ducks turnover at the corner of the ice then glided across the front of the net to backhand the puck in. The goal came 1:27 into the game or 87 seconds.
Mo' goals on the road for Mantha pic.twitter.com/CRUPAk3ppf
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 1, 2023
It was Mantha’s fifth goal of the season. The previous night in LA saw Mantha with Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael on the third line. That third line along with Charlie Lindgren was the key to the Capitals defeating the Kings.
The lines were shaken up last night but McMichael and Mantha remained together. This time they elevated up to the second line with Dylan Strome centering it.
Three of Mantha’s five goals this season have been game opening goals. He leads the Capitals in that stat. Mantha has been much better this season than the previous two years. Two seasons ago he dealt with an injury.
This past season was a down season as he was healthy but spent a lot of time in the press box as a healthy scratch. But now his game has improved and his confidence is certainly back.
#1 Tom Wilson
As I said in the beginning of this article, you know who number one is by now and it’s a no brainer. Tom Wilson already had a historic night as he played in his 700th career NHL game which is all with the Capitals. But he added onto his history with his first career hat trick.
Wilson’s first goal was a breakaway with a backhand finish. His second and third goals came on the power play. The second goal was a rebound off a shot from Alex Ovechkin from the office. His third goal of the night came when positioned in front of the net off a fake shot pass from Ovechkin. Wilson followed his shot and rebounded it in.
Capitals Coach Spencer Carbery had praise for Wilson when he talked to the media after the game:
“I always knew he was a gamer—and he’s proven that to me every day. The way he competes, the way he plays the game, how badly he wants to win and do the right thing and be in the right spot and make the right play. He’s a total, complete gamer.”
Must Read. Tom Wilson dominates as MVP against Ducks. light
Up next for the Capitals is the fourth stop of their five game road trip where they’ll take on the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow night.