Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Since being signed to a two-year, $8 million contract in free agency during the 2020 offseason, Washington Capitals defenseman Justin Schultz has been a welcome addition to the team’s blueline, adding an offensive boost to an already-loaded group that includes John Carlson and defensively-sound members in Brenden Dillon and Zdeno Chara. During the Capitals’ Friday night victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Schultz continued his productivity, recording three points for the first time in three years.
Schultz’ first point came on the first goal of the game, which came in the first period on a goal by Dillon. The goal marked Schultz’ 17th assist of the 2020-21 season.
Bombs away! pic.twitter.com/KceBoBwzQv
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 9, 2021
The second point of the night came on a goal from Schultz himself, at the 28-second mark of the second frame. The goal marked Schultz’ third goal of the season.
Now that’s how you start the period 👌 pic.twitter.com/vALZZDqjHe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 10, 2021
Schultz’ third and final point of the night came on a third period goal by Jakub Vrana, a smooth backhand pass to put the Capitals ahead by 4-2.
Now that’s how you start the period 👌 pic.twitter.com/vALZZDqjHe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 10, 2021
The goal was Schultz’ 15th primary helper of the campaign, and put him further in the Top 5 tier of defenseman in terms of primary assists this season.
Justin Schultz earned his second primary assist of the game on Vrana’s goal. His 15 primary assists this season rank tied for fourth among NHL defensemen.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 10, 2021
The three-point night was Schultz’ first in over three years, with his last coming as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 25, 2018.
Schultz has now recorded three points (1g, 2a) in tonight’s game. It marks Schultz’s seventh career three-point game and his first since March 25, 2018 (3a) as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 10, 2021
After the game, Schultz spoke on his three-point effort, saying:
“I enjoy it. You know, obviously we’ve got a lot of talented forwards, you just try to move it up to them, they skate so well and do a good job in the o-zone so you just try to get open for them most of the time, all that matters is getting the wins.”
On making his pass to Vrana, Schultz credited the forwards with making the play happen:
“Our forward made a great wall play to get it to me. I was just going to shoot it but ‘V’ did a great job of yelling for the puck and I got lucky, put it in his wheelhouse; he’s got a great one-timer so anytime you can get it to him in that area you’ve got a pretty good chance of getting it in”.
Schultz was rewarded for his night by being named the First Star of the Game.
By Michael Fleetwood
