Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images
Wednesday night’s 3-2 Capitals loss to the Penguins saw the much anticipated NHL debut of Christian Djoos. He impressed coaches during training camp and after being a healthy scratch for the team’s first three games, he finally got to show the world what he could do in the fourth game of the season in front of a national TV audience.
🎵All By Myself🎵
Welcome to the @NHL, @Djorre00!#CapsPens#ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/DOkPsZs9Ys— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 11, 2017
Djoos’ night began the same way it does for all Caps players that make their NHL debut, a solo twirl around the ice at the beginning of the pregame warmups. Nothing would intimidate this youngster. Not the sold out crowd, not the bright lights, and not the opponent even though it happened to be a big rival.
“Had a pretty good first. The guys were telling me I played pretty good so I felt good from support from teammates and I just kept playing,” Djoos told the media.
Coming down the ice late in the second period, Lars Eller found Djoos with a backhand pass and he buried it for his first NHL goal on his very first shot.
Kid’s got that juice #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DfWmTaUlir
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 12, 2017
Per Elias Sports, Djoos was the third defensemen in Capitals history to score a goal in his first NHL game.
The first goal for @Djorre00 #TheDjoosIsLoose. Congrats Chrrrrrrrrristiannnnnn. #hbh @TheHersheyBears pic.twitter.com/9rkA8jdt7u
— SportsAnnouncing com (@sportsannouncin) October 12, 2017
In the third period, Djoos assisted on Alex Ovechkin’s eighth goal of the season with a nifty pass down low.
8 for 8 #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/TCKXyJUBhN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 12, 2017
Overall, Djoos had two points and had 13:20 worth of ice time.
Last season with the Hershey Bears, Djoos ranked 11th in the AHL in goals with 13 despite only averaging 1.29 shots per game. He also led all AHL defensemen in assists with 45.
Welcome to the NHL, Christian Djoos. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many big games.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
The passing from Backstrom to Djoos and Djoos to Ovi is pretty silky.
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