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Throughout his time with the Capitals this season, forward Travis Boyd has made a case for more and regular playing time for Head Coach Todd Reirden, but a combination of salary cap constraints and a number of higher-priced bottom-six forwards already needing playing time have prevented the former sixth-round draft pick from getting a prime opportunity to establish himself in the lineup. However, when he has gotten the chance to play, the 177th overall pick in 2011 has produced, and added to that with a goal in the first period of the Capitals’ Saturday night contest against the Boston Bruins.

The goal came at the 14:27 mark of the opening frame in Beantown, tying the game 1-1. The goal came on assists from John Carlson and Brendan Leipsic and was Boyd’s first of the 2019-20 regular season, and his first since being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears.

.@Tboyd93 with the deflection!! pic.twitter.com/wvejOE0XNd

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 17, 2019

Boyd’s daughter Hayden was pretty happy about her dad’s goal against the B’s:

Woot woot 🥰🥳 @Tboyd93 pic.twitter.com/CwR50jn5hu

— Kelsey DeGonda (@kelseydegonda) November 17, 2019

Boyd now has five points (one goal, four assists) in six games played with the Caps this season, averaging 9:24 a game heading into the game against Boston, where through two periods he had played 6:12. Boyd’s 2018-19 season showed the offensive potential for the 26-year old, Hopkins, Minnesota native, as he recorded 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 53 games played, with a plus-60 rating and averaging 9:50 of ice time a night. However, the offseason signings of Garnet Hathaway, Richard Panik, and Leipsic, as well as the re-signing of Carl Hagelin created a roadblock for Boyd’s path to a regular role. Boyd’s continued production will serve him well in the pursuit of a regular role in the lineup.

By Michael Fleetwood