Capitals’ Lars Eller: “We Have A Group That’s Strong Enough To Overcome Those Challenges..We Haven’t Seen That Quality Of Play That I Know We Have”

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Della Young

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On Monday, Washington Capitals center Lars Eller spoke to the media on a Zoom call from Hotel X in Toronto. He discussed the mentality and what the team needs to do heading into a very critical Game 4 on Tuesday (8 PM ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Washington).

Although Eller believes Game 3 was the best the Capitals have played, he knows they have a lot “more to give”. “I mean I could come up with several excuses…some players are playing hurt,” Eller said. “But even so, we have a group that’s strong enough to overcome those challenges…we haven’t seen that quality of play that I know we have.” Eller mentioned they need “more from everybody down the lineup.”

On goaltender Braden Holtby, Eller called him a “winner down to the core.” He praised Holtby for being a “strong competitor” and “overcoming great challenges”. Eller said the Washington netminder made “big saves” in a his “best game [Game 3] of the series” so far. “We need him to continue to be one of our best players.”

In his first game returning to the bubble, Eller felt “pretty good” during Game 2, but did admit to getting cramps in the third period. “I could only play shifts for 10-15-20 second shifts and then my body sort of quit on me at that point.”

He felt better in Game 3 and believes he will be fine for the the next game. “I know we have our backs against the wall, but all we need to do is win one. We can focus on only winning the next one. That’s it. And I have no doubt in my mind that we can do that.”

For Eller, the most important thing is staying in the moment and not thinking ahead such as a Game 5. “It only comes down to, for me, what’s right in front of you…win your next battle. It’s a steep mountain to climb if you look at as any more than that,” Eller said. That’s going to be a key mentality for the team. “I’m looking forward to that challenge.”

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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1 Response to Capitals’ Lars Eller: “We Have A Group That’s Strong Enough To Overcome Those Challenges..We Haven’t Seen That Quality Of Play That I Know We Have”

  1. Mark Eiben says:
    August 18, 2020 at 11:41 am

    Well Lars has the right attitude. I hope the rest of the team is thinking this way also. Good luck to them tonight. Maybe we steal one here…

    Reply

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