The Washington Capitals offense easily gets an A+ for their performance not only in last night's game but also their win over the Vegas Golden Knights. But in this report card we'll look more at the numbers within the victory.
Tom Wilson scored his third goal of the season at the 55 second mark of the second period with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael assisting. It was the third straight game with a goal for number 43. It marked his first streak of three or more games since April 8-13, 2023 when he had a four game goal streak.
PLD had the primary assist and has assisted on two of Wilson's three goals this season and he's now one assist shy of 200 career assists. McMichael tallied his second assist of the season and in five career games the best Connor Mc in hockey registered four points with a goal and three assists.
Served up beautifully on a platter for a Willy nice finish pic.twitter.com/DttYErRL49
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2024
Dylan Strome would then add his second goal of the season at 6:15 with assists coming from John Carlson and Aliaksei Protas. Strome's three game point streak with two goals and two assists for four points is the longest from the start of a season in his career.
Stromer sauced that one right into the goal pic.twitter.com/Jv1cAeRH1n
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2024
Carlson had the primary assist on Strome's goal to extend his season opening point streak to three games with a goal and three assists for four points. With that assist he passed Kevin Hatcher (677) for the ninth most points by an American born defenseman in NHL history.
Protas was credited with the secondary assist and 28 of Protas' 29 points last season came at five on five which ranked third on the team. After the Stars evened the game at two goals apiece, Taylor Raddysh gave the Caps the lead for good. It was his first goal as a member of the Capitals.
Picked a great time for your first tally with us, Raddy pic.twitter.com/Wmn6oh6P5U
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2024
It was the second straight game the Caps scored three goals in the second period. 10 of the 13 forwards to appear in a game with the Capitals this season have recorded at least one point. Raddysh's goal at 17:19 of the second period was the game winner and marked his third career game winning goal and first since Jan. 12, 2023 vs. the Colorado Avalanche as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Grade A+: The Caps offense didn't even need the third period to take care of another good Western Conference foe. After a bad opening night, the Caps appear to be back and we couldn't be happier.