On Monday, Washington Capitals forward Hendrix Lapierre spoke to the media following the team’s optional skate ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington+). He discussed returning close to home and drawing back into the lineup.
“Hopefully it can give me a boost,” Lapierre, a Gatineau, Quebec native, said on having about 15-20 family members and numerous friends in attendance Monday night. Gatineau is just over a thirty-minute drive to Canadian Tire Centre, and Lapierre is looking forward to having them in the stands and showing their support.
Lapierre scored his first career goal in the Capitals’ 5-1 win over the New York Rangers on October 13. He said there was some weight lifted off his shoulders, adding, “Obviously it’s not about goals and stuff, but getting one as quick as that…you can just play hockey without thinking ‘Okay, I gotta get this first one, I gotta get this first one,’ so I think it was good. It was just a really good first game honestly. We got a big win. I think that’s the most important thing.”
The 19-year-old center is excited to draw back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last three games. Lapierre said “you can learn a lot of things” by watching and analyzing the game. “If I had questions in the system…I think being up there really helps me and for the practices, I just try to work as hard as I can.”
Lapierre noted that he wants to continue to show how much of an effective player he can be and “do the right things correctly.”
Hendrix Lapierre talks about being back close to home and how many family members will be in attendance to watch him suit up in Ottawa tonight.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/v0LUp45B47
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 25, 2021
In his media session today, head coach Peter Laviolette called Lapierre an “enthusiastic kid” who’s “got a smile on his face all the time in practice.” “[He] loves coming to the rink and playing game…trying to get better in practice…he had a good camp. I think he led our team in scoring in exhibition games. Not always for NHL lineups, but still, he’s able to produce and do a good job.”
Laviolette said they made sure he was on a line with “solid” players, which include forwards T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary, who are helping and supporting the young centermen (Lapierre and Connor McMichael) through playing the right way and communicating. “I think the games he’s been in there he’s done well,” Laviolette said, also adding, “He should just focus on each day one at a time and focus on having fun and playing the game he loves.”
Head Coach Laviolette provides an update on Nic Dowd’s status and what the lineup will look like against the Senators.#ALLCAPS | @Socios pic.twitter.com/yXa1f4vLc1
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 25, 2021
By Della Young
