Photo: NHL

The Capitals went into tonight’s game looking for more secondary scoring. They got it in an all-around great team performance in goals by centers Lars Eller, Jay Beagle, and winger Devante Smith-Pelly in route to a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. 

The player that stood out the most was center Lars Eller. Despite taking three penalties on the night, Eller scored a goal, had an assist, had six shots on goal, two hits, a block, and only two giveaways. He also won 55% of his faceoffs in 13:30 in ice time. Two of his three penalties were for delay of game.

He was arguably the Capitals best player tonight. He was buzzing around the crease in the first period and had 5 shots on goal in the period. He also registered his 100th career NHL point, his 30th since he came to Washington.

With Lars Eller’s assist on Jay Beagle’s goal, Eller has reached the 100 assist mark for his career.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 29, 2017

Eller scored his first goal of the season off of a wicked slap shot to beat Oilers’ goaltender Cam Talbot.

Lar gets all of this one. #CapsOilers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/IFLaVmhG8x

— Washington🎃Capitals (@Capitals) October 29, 2017

Radio call by John Walton:

With the injuries to defenseman Matt Niskanen, center Tyler Graovac, and wingers Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly, the Capitals needed multiple players to step up. Eller rose to the occasion in Edmonton.

Last year, Eller had 12 goals and 13 assists in 81 games in his first season with the Capitals. He also had a +15 rating.

Eller, acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens in June of 2016, can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He is one of the Capitals’ best penalty killers and defensive forwards and losing him would be a blow to the team.

The Capitals are back in action tonight at 9 PM in Calgary against the Flames.

By Harrison Brown