Photo: @hokiegirl4ever
When a fan is asked who the leading scorer of the Capitals is, one would always go with one of the mainstream players as a first guess or answer. In that case with the way the season has played out for the last decade, the answer is usually Alex Ovechkin.
But this season, somebody else has not only lit the lamp but has led the Caps in all three offensive categories: goals, points, and assists. Though we are just one month into the season with nine games played, Marcus Johansson is off to a fast start leading the Caps with six goals, five assists, and 11 points. He is tied for third in the NHL in goals and tied for seventh in points.
Johansson got his first goal of the season in the fourth game of the season at Florida. He has scored all six of his goals away from the Verizon Center and if any player had the most fun on the Capitals four-game, 10-day road trip, it was Johansson.
Johansson scored two-goals in back-to-back nights in Vancouver and Calgary. He also netted the Caps’ second goal of the night after a nice setup by Evgeny Kuznetsov from behind the net. It was one of two points Johansson earned, with an assist on Karl Alzner’s goal.
Jojo can't stop, won't stop. #CapsJets on @csnma https://t.co/rQLJ1RSv2B
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 2, 2016
“I gave it to Kuzy and he pretty much did everything (he could) to give it right back to me in front of the net,” Johansson said. “I got lucky it went in. It (the puck) was laying on top of his (Connor Hellebuyck’s) pad. I missed a half-open net at first but sometimes it’s just going your way a bit and it was good to see it go in.”
Johansson’s two points in Winnipeg marked his third straight multi-point game. He tied his career high with three points (two goals, one assist) on Saturday night against the Canucks and scored two goals Sunday against the Flames, marking the first time he scored two goals in two consecutive games in his career. He is tied for first in the NHL with four multi-point games.
MoJo’s 11 points through nine games is his best start to the season in his seven year career. His second-best start was his seven assists to start the 2013-14 season.
Maybe it’s got to do with his 3-year, $13.75 million deal he signed over the offseason but if he keeps it going, the second/third line left winger would show Caps personnel that they made the right decision in re-signing him.
By Michael Marzzacco
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