Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images
The Capitals had a tough first month of the season as they ended October with a 5-6-1 record, which also included a poor 1-3 record on their home ice. The Capitals entered the month of November looking to get on the right track and they got it, starting with a home win over the Islanders followed by a road win over the Bruins. The one thing that might’ve been more amazing than the wins themselves were the players who stepped it up to make it happen.
Thursday Nov. 2 vs. NYI:
TAYLOR CHORNEY
Taylor Chorney scored the game’s first goal against the Islanders for his first of the season. After serving most of last season as a healthy scratch, it’s good to see Chorney finally get rewarded with a new role on a Capitals team lacking familiar faces on the blue line. Chorney had just one goal in just 18 games played last season. Including Saturday’s game in Boston, he’s played in 10 of the Capitals’ 14 games.
Chorns from way downtown. #CapsIsles ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/MjIbgVG2y2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 2, 2017
ALEX CHIASSON
Alex Chiasson, like Chorney, also scored his first goal of the season this week. For Chiasson, his road to the Capitals began when he joined the team in training camp on a pro tryout agreement. Since then, he has worked his way into the Capitals lineup and has been paired with the likes of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
In this particular game, he was on the fourth line with Nathan Walker and Jay Beagle but his placement helped create balance among the four lines. His second period goal gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead just 12 seconds after the Islanders tied it.
… 12 seconds later. #CapsIsles #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/fLsYLYdafs
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 3, 2017
LARS ELLER
Prior to the game on Thursday, we got a sneak preview of what the “Great Dane” could do when he scored the lone goal in a road loss to Calgary Sunday night and a goal the night before in a win over Edmonton.
Lars Eller scored two goals on Thursday night, including the game-winner late in the third to send Caps fans home happy.
LARS TO THE RESCUE! #CapsIsles #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3FZGMkY7VF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 3, 2017
Saturday Nov. 4 at Bos:
TOM WILSON
Tom Wilson scored his first goal of the season and had his first multi-goal regular season game of his career in a 3-2 win over the Bruins. He also nearly had a hat trick early in the third while the Caps were on the four-minute penalty kill.
Wilson from the tough angle! #CapsBruins #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/LKXU8o5A10
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 4, 2017
A Two Goal Game for Wilson!! #CapsBruins #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/jEfUMijcXk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 5, 2017
This may have been the first time he scored twice in a game in the regular season, but it wasn’t the first time he’s ever done it. It almost felt like de-ja-vu as Wilson had two goals in the playoffs last year during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Toronto.
If the Capitals want continued success it’s up to the whole team to step up, not just the stars. The Caps look to make it three in a row for the first time this season Monday night at home against the Coyotes.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
