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Carl Hagelin has been one of the Washington Capitals’ hardest-working forwards this season, stabilizing a line that often features Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. On Thursday night against the New York Rangers, Hagelin scored his first goal of the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.

With the Capitals down 2-0 nearing the end of the second period, Hathaway took a shot on New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin, while Hagelin crashed the net-front. As Hathaway’s shot hit the Rangers’ netminder, it deflected off of Hagelin’s wrist as the former Ranger attempted to knock the puck out of the air. The puck took an odd bounce over the glove of Shesterkin, and into the net, giving Hagelin his first goal of the season, also assisted by Michael Sgarbossa.

it is VERY good to see you Carl pic.twitter.com/Cr7Vcs8xF2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 5, 2021

Heading into the game against New York, Hagelin had recorded one assist in 10 games played, averaging 15:51 of ice time a night. Despite this, his 55.9 Goals For Percentage at even-strength over the previous three campaigns ranks 48th among all NHL forwards with at least 100 Games Played.

Carl Hagelin scores his first goal of the season to cut New York’s lead to 2-1. Hagelin’s 55.9 goals for percentage (76 for, 60 against) at even strength over the last three seasons ranks tied for 48th among NHL forwards with at least 100 games played.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 5, 2021

By Michael Fleetwood