Photo: Joe Sargent/Getty Images
The third line of forwards Conor Sheary (one goal), Lars Eller (one goal), and Richard Panik (two assists) combined for two goals and four points in the Washington Capitals‘ 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night to help the team end a four-game regulation losing streak.
After Panik threw the puck back to Sheary at the dot from the right post, the 28-year-old went to the roof for his third of the season to open the scoring 4:52 into the second period. The Penguins did not sign Sheary, who signed with the Capitals as an unrestricted free agent, this past offseason.
NEW DAD STRENGTH! pic.twitter.com/sGvqmjstKF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 17, 2021
1:09 into the third period, Eller one-timed a cross-crease feed from Panik at the doorstep to extend the Capitals’ lead to 3-0.
This line is COOKIN’ pic.twitter.com/IZy87KUfuC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 17, 2021
In 18:16 worth of ice-time on Tuesday, Eller won 64.3% of the faceoffs that he took and had a +2 rating, seven shots, one hit, and one blocked shot. In 12:56, Sheary was credited with one takeaway, two shots, and a +2 rating. Panik finished with one shot and one hit in 11:17.
In 34.9 minutes together this season, the trio has combined for a 73.7% expected goals-for percentage and a 57.9% shot attempts-for percentage.
Damn near impossible for one line to play a game more perfect than this. pic.twitter.com/hpuTzMG39h
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) February 17, 2021
This season, Eller has two goals, five points, and a -6 rating in 10 games; Sheary has three goals, four points, and an even rating in 11; and Panik has one goal, five points, and a -8 rating in 14.
By Harrison Brown
