ARLINGTON, Va. — Over ten years ago, Alex Ovechkin clinched the Hart Trophy awarded to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player while playing his inaugural season at right wing, stepping away from his traditional left wing position. In the subsequent season, Ovechkin dominated by netting an impressive 51 goals, leading the league. “I’ll take it right now,” he expressed, hinting at his ongoing ambition to reclaim his previous scoring prowess.
The Washington Capitals are also hoping to benefit from Ovechkin’s shift to the right side as they prepare for their second game of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights. While coach Spencer Carbery referred to this maneuver as a tactic to create balance within the lineup, there is potential for significant impact. At 39 years old, Ovechkin is on a quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record, making each game crucial. “I think it’s a small change,” Carbery noted, emphasizing that he often finds Ovechkin maneuvering across both sides of the ice, which diminishes the importance of the position shift in his view.
In a light-hearted manner, Ovechkin joked about possibly taking on the role of a goalie. However, Logan Thompson will be guarding the net for the Capitals as they face his former team, the Golden Knights, following his offseason trade stemming from a disagreement regarding his role with the organization.
After suffering a 5-3 loss to New Jersey in their season opener, Coach Carbery made adjustments to the lineup by repositioning Aliaksei Protas to top-line left wing, a position Ovechkin has held for the majority of his two decades in the league, pairing him with center Dylan Strome. Ovechkin explained, “We just mix it up,” indicating that the team is evaluating different combinations and strategies early in the season, especially with new players joining the roster.
Ovechkin’s past experience on the right wing dates back to the lockout-shortened 2013 season, and again during the 2013-14 season under coach Adam Oates. Oates believed Ovechkin, as a right-handed shooter, had been mispositioned all along. Although Ovechkin initially struggled to find the net with only five goals in his first 16 games that season, he rebounded impressively by scoring 27 goals in his final 32 games, ultimately securing a playoff spot for Washington.
As for Thompson, the goalie is prepped to take the crease against Vegas after Charlie Lindgren played against the Devils. This strategic decision aligns with Carbery and goalie coach Scott Murray’s plan to alternate goalies during the initial games. Furthermore, it helps Thompson navigate an emotionally charged matchup early in the season, following his desire for more playing time which led to the offseason trade. “I think we were just at two different points,” Thompson shared, reflecting on his pursuit for new opportunities.
In training camp, Thompson made comments about the Golden Knights’ management of goaltending and humorously questioned if he could find a spot in the league elsewhere. The Capitals believe that the conclusion of Thompson’s time with Vegas could serve as a motivating factor for him this season. “I will caution him to channel that,” Carbery advised, recognizing the need to focus his motivations constructively.
On the injury front, the Capitals made notable changes in their defense this offseason, acquiring talent like Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy. However, just one game into the season, the news isn’t positive for Roy, as he suffered an injury that caused him to exit in the second period of the game. “Definitely not ideal to lose him in the first game, for the game itself and then for the foreseeable future,” Carbery remarked, although he expressed optimism that Roy’s absence wouldn’t extend too long, yet he predicted a considerable amount of missed time.
Dylan McIlrath is slated to fill Roy’s vacant spot on the ice, allowing the Capitals to maintain a balanced lineup of three left and three right defensemen. Additionally, Roy’s injury will likely lead to increased playing time for Trevor van Riemsdyk and star defender John Carlson, who had the most ice time in the NHL last season. Up front, Jakub Vrana is expected to step in and replace Sonny Milano on one of the top three lines after impressing the coaching staff during his tryout in camp.