Unsung hero scores first goal as a Cap in win. No, not Boone Jenner

While Boone Jenner will get most of the accolades after he scored the game-winning goal against the Rangers Friday night (his first goal last night as a Washington Capital), the real unsung hero was defenseman Timothy Liljegren. Liljegren also scored his first goal as a Capital while playing the most minutes of the season . With top shutdown defenseman Matt Roy out with an injury, Liljegren rose to the occasion.

Caps’ general manager Chris Patrick acquired Liljegren at the trade deadline last March from the San Jose Sharks after right-handed John Carlson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. Liljegren played with Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin in their native Sweden, as well as with the Toronto Maple Leafs bwfore Sandin was traded to Washington. Patrick thought the pair would give the Capitals a solid third pairing and make the transition easier since they were familiar with each other from their days together in Toronto. But then Sandin tore his ACL and had surgery in April. Still the Caps had seen enough from the Swedish Liljegren, and the Caps resigned him to a two-year contract extension last May.

Liljegren is a more defensive minded, but the coaching staff thought he had some untapped offensive potential. With Roy still sidelined, Carbery paired Liljegren with their top defenseman Jakob Chychrun and the move paid off. With the score 1-0 in favor of New York, the Swedish rearguard ripped a slapshot past Rangers backup Dylan Garand in the second period, tying the game at one apiece.

While the Capitals depth at forward has been heralded all offseason as perhaps the best in the league, their defensive depth was on full display last night. Liljegren had 22 shifts, played a season high 19:14 minutes, had two shots on goal, and scored a goal. It is a testament to the Capitals’ scouting department and their coaching staff that they have players like Liljegren that can step up and take the place of a top players without missing a beat. If Liljegren keeps playing like he did last night, the Caps should have very good depth on the blueline when Roy comes back and Sandin is fully recovered.

Congrats to Liljegren on his first goal as a Washington Capital! It took a 7 months, but it came at a perfect time as the Caps defeated a division rival. Let’s hope he pots the next one sooner than the first.

Caps Dump and Chase:

- The burgeoning chemistry between Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard continues. Both assisted on Liljegren’s goal, giving Strome 4 points and Leonard 3 points in four games. The Caps might have something special developing between these two.

- Tom Wilson scored his 20th career empty-net goal to ice the game last night. Only 52 more empty netters to tie Alex Ovechkin for the all-time lead.

- The Caps limited the Rangers to just 21 shots and goalie Logan Thompsonlooked sharp in net. Thompson is 3-0 on the season with a 2.00 GAA and a .929 save percentage

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