Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images
Newly acquired defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk introduced a new wrinkle to the Caps power play unit during morning skate in Columbus on Sunday. The wrinkle paid immediate dividends against the Maple Leafs Tuesday night in Toronto.
Shattenkirk’s first goal as a Capital occurred at the 10:00 mark of the second period of Tuesday night’s tilt with the Maple Leafs. The goal was the product of the new wrinkle Shattenkirk introduced during practice this week.
Sensing the power play was “a little stagnate”, Shattenkirk called to Ovechkin for a switch, moving Ovechkin to the top, and Shattenkirk transitioning to Ovechkin’s traditional “office” spot. The move left the Maple Leafs penalty kill unit somewhat confused with regards to assignments, ultimately leaving Shattekirk wide open for the goal.
Shattenkirk would tell media after the game that “it was a matter of just getting him (Ovechkin) on board, and I think it’s something he likes”. Shattenkirk noted it was something they did quite a bit of when he was in St. Louis.
On Tuesday morning, Coach Trotz was asked about the new wrinkle on the Sports Junkies radio show:
Trotz to The Junkies on Shattenkirk’s PP goal: "You could see the confusion on the Maple Leafs’ faces when we started doing that…"
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) April 5, 2017
By Jon Sorensen
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