What A Gem: Garnet Hathaway Is Off To A Productive Start With The Capitals

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Della Young
Screen Shot 2019-10-25 at 4.22.23 PM.pngPhoto: Capitals

With the first month of the 2019-20 season almost in the books, the Washington Capitals have gone 8-2-3 and lead the Metropolitan Division with 19 points. There has been quite a bit of production coming from the bottom-six offensive lines, specifically from right-winger Garnet Hathaway.

Hathaway has already posted six points (two goals) in thirteen games played. The 27-year old is known for his physicality and penalty kill abilities and has contributed greatly as a fourth-liner and even as a third-liner at times. He has also been credited with a +4 rating, nine penalty minutes, and seventeen shots on goal.

Despite a 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Hathaway scored his first goal during the Capitals’ home opener on October 5. He opened the scoring with less than three minutes to go in the first period.

Hathaway has picked up a few assists since then, which include the primary assist on center Lars Eller’s shorthanded goal in the 6-5 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.

Something beneficial a player can bring to their line is defensive depth. That was an element not present in the bottom six last season. Versatility is another feature Hathaway has shown. He can play a physical forecheck, yet still get on the defense when needed.

This season, Hathaway has made 36 hits, which is one hit more than captain Alex Ovechkin. Hathaway doesn’t mind dropping the gloves either. We saw that in the preseason finale against the Hurricanes on September 29.

After the fisticuffs broke out, Hathaway would later score an empty-net goal to seal the deal for the Capitals in a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers on October 18.

Washington signed the free agent on July 1 to a four-year contract worth $6 million ($1.5 million AAV). They have obtained a player who will provide perfect depth and physicality for the bottom-six forwards.

By Della Young

About Della Young

Della Young is an aspiring novelist and screenwriter who earned a BFA in Creative Writing from Full Sail University in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Screenwriting from Regent University. Della comes from a family of big Capitals fans and became inspired to start writing for hockey in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and working on both sides of the camera. Follow Della on Twitter: @dellayoung
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