Dylan Strome continues to be an assists machine

Dylan Strome is a blessing to the Washington Capitals. In the absense of Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie on LTIR, the team was looking for another team leader from within who already knew what it took to win. Just like last year, Strome continues to make his teammates better.

Unlike last year, Strome is off to a way hotter start than anticipated. And it's not just us noticing but other writers around the hockey universe. Sammi Silber of The Hockey News, wrote this about Stromer:

Give Dylan Strome all the credit. The 27 year old, who the Chicago Blackhawks let walk into free agency three years ago, is hitting his stride at a crucial time for Washington and has 22 points in 14 games. He has assisted on all 10 of Alex Ovechkin's goals and is serving as the catalyst driving that wildly successful top line.

Strome has recorded 14 points at five on five and is tied for the second most among all NHL forwards while also ranking second in assists with 18 and tied for fifth in overall scoring. On the face off dot, he's won 53.85 percent of his draws. Crazy yes. Even crazier? Strome is on pace for 128 points.

Last week Strome told Silber that he looked up to Sidney Crosby quite a bit and served as a role model for the young center. In additon to the 18 assists, Strome has four goals but hasn't lit the lamp since their blowout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets back on Nov. 2.

Let's break down the advanced stats of Strome and Ovechkin. When they're paired together their corsi for percentage is at 50.81 percent, their expected goals for at 53.23 percent and their high danger chances for at 57.14 percent. For funs sake their goals for percentage in high danger chances is at 80 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.

When Strome isn't paired with Ovechkin his corsi for percentage plumments to 47.14 percent, his expected goals percentage at 47.54 percent, and his high danger chances for percentage at 40 percent.

But enough with the stats. Time to end this article with the most important news and that is Alex Ovechkin bestowing a nickname on young Stromer called "Zini", referring him to that in all of his recent press conferences, per Silber of The Hockey News.

Ovechkin said Saturday night after the win in St. Louis:

Our line play well, our line generates lots of chances, and sometimes we don't want to be too cute. Zini and Pro do a great job to find me out there, and it's working.