Chandler Stephenson has enjoyed a solid season in a Capitals sweater. After playing in just a combined 14 games over the last two seasons, Stephenson has been a mainstay in the Capitals lineup this since getting called up from Hershey in late October during the Capitals western Canada road trip. While Stephenson didn’t crack the opening night roster at first, his stellar play in Hershey at the beginning of the season and his solid start with the big club earned him a permanent place on the Capitals roster.
With Andre Burakovsky suffering a long-term upper body injury after the Capitals loss to the Panthers back on Oct. 21, the Capitals had a hole at the left wing position, giving Stephenson an opportunity. Stephenson came up to the Capitals with an already impressive track record on the young AHL season, scoring five goals in the Bears’ first six games. In his last game before the call-up, Stephenson notched a hat trick in the Bears first win of the season.
Stephenson wasted no time lighting the lamp in his first Capitals game of the season as he notched a goal in the third period of a 6-2 loss in Vancouver for his first tally of his NHL career.
Stephenson added his first goal at Capital One Arena in a huge 4-1 win over the Penguins on Nov. 10.
Recently, Stephenson has been on a tear over two of the past three Capitals games. In Wednesday’s win over the Flyers Stephenson not only had his first multi-goal game of his career, he scored both goals 47 seconds apart in the second period which led to a 5-3 win. Stephenson’s quick back-to-back goals was the fastest back-to-back goal mark for a Capital this season and the fastest back-to-back scored by a Capital since Alex Ovechkin scored a pair 53 seconds apart on Jan. 28, 2014. Trailing 2-0, his two tallies helped the team turn the corner which led to five unanswered goals.
Stevey! Cleaning up the garbage in front #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6NtUvc69sG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 1, 2018
47 seconds and just like that it’s tied up! #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/mafGT6JbRD
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 1, 2018
Even though Stephenson didn’t score in the loss last Friday to the Penguins, he had at least four chances according to Natural Stat Trick. During the next Capitals game which came on Super Bowl Sunday in an eventual loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Stephenson notched the game’s first goal. It was his first time in his career scoring the first goal of a game.
Right under the bar @CStephenson22 #CapsKnights #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/hDICZ3TORd
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2018
“Couldn’t really see much. Just kind of threw it and it went in,” Stephenson said.
With three goals in his last three games, Stephenson is developing a confidence in his game.
“I’m just, you know, finding that chemistry with the guys I’m playing with. Like I was saying earlier, just trying to have some fun, playing more, getting some bounces and you know, just getting some confidence,” said Stephenson. “I think that just comes with the confidence thing and just knowing what to expect every game, just getting used to the speed and the guys out here in the locker room.”
Now that Stephenson, along with the rest of the team, has found that chemistry and camaraderie with each other, the Capitals hope to use this to their advantage in the homestretch of the regular season.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo