It’s just three games, but so far Capitals’ defenseman Martin Fehervary has quietly begun to establish a foothold in the Capitals lineup. The everyday starter’s role won’t come easy for the 22 year-old, and there have been and will be mistakes along the way, but so far he’s shown he’s up to the task.

There were questions surrounding the Capitals blueline coming into this season. With the departure of last years starters in Brenden Dillon and Zdeno Chara, the Capitals were planning (and hoping) that Fehervary could find a consistent spot on the blueline. Fehervary is just beginning his everyday starter’s role with the team, but so far he’s done well and settled in nicely.

Capitals forward Tom Wilson feels Fehervary’s skating and speed make it difficult for the opposition.

”I think we have some young legs in the lineup, now. I think Marty skates very well, so he can play on tight gaps and match opponents speed.”

MacKinnon, who has wheels, couldn’t skate around Fehervary. Very tough to beat him on the edge.

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) October 19, 2021

Fehervary logged 19:51 of time on ice Wednesday night against the Avalalnche, the second most ice time among all Capitals defenseman. He also played 2:13 on the Capitals penalty kill. Fehervary also had excellent possession stats against the Avalanche. In fact he posted some of the best numbers among all Capitals defensemen.

On opening night against the Rangers, the pairing of Fehervary and John Carlson had the best possession metrics among all of the Capitals defensive pairings.

Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette felt Fehervary played really well against the speedy and talented Avalanche. Fehervary was often tasked with defending against the Avalanches’ top line, which included superstar Nate MacKinnon, one of the games fastest skaters and best all around players.

“He had a really good game last night. He’s a young defenseman, and I think with young defenseman it’s gonna to take time,” said Laviolette. “There will be some ups and downs, and there will be some learning curves. We gotta a great guy back there in Kevin McCarthy to work with the defensemen and to teach them and just do it in the right environment. But last night, certainly, he was one of our top defenders. He used his speed to defend one of the top players in the game and he did it really well. The game before, there were some things we went back and showed him where there was a couple of turnovers, or whatever, or miscues, so you talk to him about things and simpler plays and you’re coaching him. Last night in a big situation against a big lineup and often times against some pretty big players, he handled himself really well.”

Fehervary and the Capitals next face the Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey Thursday night. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00 PM.

By Jon Sorensen