The Washington Capitals opened their 2022 preseason slate of games with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday at Capital One Arena. No less than 13 of the Capitals prospects played in the opener. Here’s a breakdown of how each of the prospects fared in the first preseason game.
LINES AND PAIRS
The Capitals forward lines and defensive pairs included an NHL veteran on each line and pair. Zach Fucale got the start in goal.
#Caps‘ lines vs. BUF:
59-Protas, 26-Dowd, 72-Sheary
16-Suzdalev, 24-McMichael, 39-Mantha
91-Snively, 29-Lapierre, 40-Pilon
65-Hanelt, 84-Hofer, 49-Leason56-Gustafsson, 61-Has
42-Fehervary, 38-Iorio
51-Krebs, 3-JensenFucale vs. Luukkonen. #CapsSabres
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) September 25, 2022
Beck Malenstyn and Gabriel Carlsson were the healthy scratches from the team’s announced roster on Saturday.
FORWARDS
Alexander Suzdalev – a somewhat quiet game for the 18-year-old, which is to be expected. He was also denied in the shootout. I’d like to see him get at least one more game before he returns to the Regina Pats, now that his feet are wet.
Connor McMichael – McMichael had a very good outing. Showed playmaking skills, played well on both special teams and was a puck-hound. There really isn’t much to learn about McMichael in a game like this. His tests will come later in the preseason when rosters start getting real.
Hendrix Lapierre – Lapierre had a decent game. Had an excellent chance early in first period but shot was wide of the goal. He had a very nice rush late in the third period but was unable to finish. He also came up empty in the shootout. All-in-all, an o.k. showing.
Garrett Pilon – Pilon looked really good, had a nice backhanded centering pass early in the first period, and recorded the only prospect shot on goal in the first frame. He was very noticeable, both offensively and defensively. Pilon is an interesting case. He’s always shown the ability to play at the next level, and scored a goal on his only NHL shot last season. Hard to top that.
Brett Leason – Leason looked good, early, but his game quieted down late. He had a nice centering pass early in the first frame. Hopefully he gets another game or two before returning to Hershey.
Aliaksei Protas – Protas had a solid showing, and really had nothing to prove in this game, for me. He showed his smarts, physicality, game sense and experience that make him already a viable candidate for a Capitals roster spot, should one ever open up for him. It’s a waiting game for the 6’-6” forward.
Haakon Hanelt – Hanelt showed he can play at NHL-ish game speed. He had a nice feed to Leason in the middle frame, but probably should have shot the puck. His board work has also picked up, and seemed to be ahead of the play for most of the game. I’d like to see him get another game before he returns to The Q.
Ryan Hofer – a rather quiet outing for the 20-year old Hofer. Nothing significant to report, one way or the other.
Joe Snively – Snively was sharp in this contest and the best forward among all Capitals prospects. After an incredible season in both Hershey and with the Capitals last season, it looks like he is picking up where he left off before the wrist/hand injury. He had a nice deflection for a score in the 3rd period and scored in the postgame shootout. Snively is making it extremely difficult for Caps management to leave him off the roster. He would need to clear waivers to reach Hershey.
DEFENSEMEN
Vincent Iorio – had a very good showing, best among Capitals defensive prospects. He had two very nice scoring chances and was sound on the backend as well, paired with Fehervary. 19:25 of ice time. He deserves another game, preferably on Wednesday against the Flyers.
Dru Krebs – Krebs held his own, and had a nice stop on former Capitals defensive prospect Chase Priskie in the first period. He had two hits, was a +1 in 20:29 of ice time, the second most on the team. I was impressed with his outing. He also deserves another game in my book.
Martin Has – The Gustafsson-Has pairing had a breakdown in the first minute of play, but rebounded nicely. Gustafsson had a very good first period, shining indirect light in Has. Has was defensively solid the entire game, and should be a candidate for Hershey. He deserves another preseason game as well.
GOALTENDERS
Zach Fucale and Hunter Shepard were the two callups for the Capitals last season, so it’s likely they are starting training camp #3 and #4. This game probably did more for the Capitals coaches to solidify who exactly is #3 (first callup) and who is #4, regardless of how things play out at the start of the season in Hershey. Clay Stevenson may play into things as the season progresses.
Zach Fucale – Fucale was solid in the first period, stopping all 11 shots he faced. He gave up two tallies in the first half of the second period, but one goal he was completely screened on. Not a bad showing, but could have been better. Fucale stopped 15 of 17 for an .882 game save percentage.
Hunter Shepard – Came off the bench with 9:59 remaining in the second period, in a 2-2 game. His only real blemishes were a 6-on-4 goal late, where he really had no chance and a 3-on-3 goal in overtime. Shepard stopped 9 of 11 for an .812 game save percentage.
SUMMARY AND STANDOUTS
Prospect standouts were: Joe Snively, Garrett Pilon, Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas and Vincent Iorio.
The Caps are back in action on Wednesday when they visit the Flyers in Philadelphia.
By Jon Sorensen