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The Washington Capitals’ 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Sunday afternoon was yet another step closer to what has been an overall, disappointing season for Head Coach Peter Laviolette’s club. However, the lopsided defeat featured some positive news for one of the team’s new faces this season.
Center Dylan Strome was one of the Caps’ two goal-scorers on the day, notching his 19th goal of the 2022-23 season (his first as a Capital) in the second period on assists from Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson.
Dylan Strome banks one home off of Shesterkin from below the goal line to bring the Capitals back within 2!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Lgzkkkiirq
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) April 2, 2023
With the goal, Strome set a new career-high in Points, picking up No. 58 on the season, surpassing his previous total of during the 2018-19 season with the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks; Strome has already recorded a career-best 39 assists this season, which he also set in 2018-19.
Dylan Strome scores his 19th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 3-1. With the goal, Strome (19g-39a–58p in 76 GP) has established a new single-season career high in points (previously 2018-19: 20g-37a–57p in 78 GP w/ Arizona & Chicago).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 2, 2023
Strome, who ranks second on the Capitals in Assists and Points, signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Caps in free agency after being non-tendered by the Blackhawks as a Restricted Free Agent; this came as a rebuilding effort began in the Windy City despite Strome being just 25 at the time and coming off a productive season, albeit in 69 Games Played (he has played 76 this season).
Strome is also a former first-round pick of the Coyotes (3rd overall in 2015), and combined with his offensive potential and youth, NoVa Caps’ Michael Fleetwood predicted the team’s signing of Strome to a one-year deal could be the steal of the 2022 offseason.
The Mississauga, Ontario native has flourished offensively, with the Caps, and was rewarded with a five-year, $25 million contract mid-season. While he has recorded a minus-5 rating, Strome has been instrumental on the Caps’ first unit power play, registering a career-best 19 points with the man-advantage and entering Sunday’s tilt, had a 59.1% Corsi For on the season.
The Capitals have five games left in the regular season and currently hold a 34-34-9 record.
More Reading:
They Put the Faith In Me, I’m Going to Continue To Grow, Become A Better Player, And I’m Looking Forward To It: Stability and Confidence In His Playing Ability Key in Dylan Strome’s Decision to Re-Sign With Capitals
Evaluating Dylan Strome’s Performance Through The First 30 Games Of The Capitals 2022-23 Season