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The Washington Capitals’ sweeping moves before the trade deadline and subsequent events have led to a number of new faces in the lineup for Head Coach Peter Laviolette. In Saturday’s tilt against the San Jose Sharks, three of those new faces picked up their first points as members of the club.
As part of the return in the Caps’ deal that sent Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway to the Boston Bruins, veteran forward Craig Smith was sent to Washington. In an offensive outburst in the second period, Smith picked up two goals, recording his first goals as a member of the Capitals.
First Goal:
Craig Smith joins the rush and rifles Strome’s feed past Kahkonen to cut the Capitals deficit in half to 1!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/2aJchk2lST
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 5, 2023
Second Goal:
Craig Smith with the bunt! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/1JeoY3dl9K
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 5, 2023
Marquee trade acquisition defenseman Rasmus Sandin picked up his first point as a member of Washington’s defensive corps in his first game played since being acquired with an assist on Smith’s second goal.
Rasmus Sandin recorded the primary assist on the Capitals’ fourth goal, his first point as a Capital.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 5, 2023
Matt Irwin, who appeared in 153 games for San Jose from 2012-2015, scored the Caps’ third goal of the second period, marking the first time he has lit the lamp against his former ‘mates.
Irwin’s fellow blueliner, Gabriel Carlsson, was recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears yesterday along with Vincent Iorio, and picked up the primary helper on Irwin’s tally.
Matt Irwin’s clap bomb sizzles into the back of the net for his first goal of the year, Capitals lead 3-2!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/dafvFt1rnh
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 5, 2023
Carlsson previously played parts of six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Caps headed into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead over the Sharks.
By Michael Fleetwood