The Washington Capitals’ roster picture is getting crowded in a hurry, and Jonny Brodzinski is doing everything he can to stay in the conversation.
In Washington’s 5-2 preseason win over the Philadelphia Flyers in Hershey, Brodzinski was one of the night’s biggest difference-makers, scoring twice and continuing to build on the strong showing he delivered just 24 hours earlier. With camp nearing the point where the final fourth-line and extra-forward decisions start to matter, he keeps putting useful hockey on tape.
Brodzinski’s first goal came on a wicked shot from the slot that gave the Capitals a key insurance marker in the third period. Not long after, he finished off a give-and-go with Martin Fehervary, cutting to the left circle and ripping in his second of the night. Working alongside Ethen Frank and Ivan Miroshnichenko, the 33-year-old veteran did a little of everything and kept finding the open ice.
Dylan Strome was just as central to the story. In his first preseason game Monday, he looked sharp from the jump after spending the summer working on his hockey IQ and fine-tuning parts of his game.
He got the power play moving in the opening frame, then later scored on a 2-on-1 rush with Jordan Kyrou for his second point of the night. Strome finished with a goal and an assist, wore the “A,” and looked like one of Washington’s best players from start to finish.
He also helped drive a top line that included Andrew Cristall and Ryan Leonard, and Leonard had a night of his own. The rising sophomore, who signed an eight-year extension before camp, buried a rocket top corner past Joseph Woll late in the first period.
Leonard kept pushing play throughout the game, using his skating and vision to create chances, drawing an early penalty and adding life to the power play. He led the Capitals with four shots.
The line of Ilya Protas, Aliaksei Protas and Jordan Kyrou also drew plenty of attention. Spencer Carbery wanted to finally see that trio together, and they gave him a strong look.
Ilya Protas handled the center spot well, moving the puck, using his speed and size, and showing no trouble driving play. Having Aliaksei Protas on the wing helped, but the rookie also earned plenty of credit for how comfortable he looked.
Kyrou, making his Capitals debut after being acquired this summer for Connor McMichael, Milton Gästrin and a draft pick, fit in quickly. He moved well, cycled effectively with the Protas brothers, got inside, and finished with an assist.
Andrew Cristall’s night took a different turn. He wanted to show what he could do skating on a top line with Strome and Leonard, and he also stepped in after Leonard was taken hard into the boards by Hunter McDonald. Cristall responded with a cross-check to McDonald’s neck/face area, which sparked a scrum and earned him a cross-checking major and a game misconduct.
It was a tough outcome for a player on the fringe who is trying to make a case for NHL time this season.
In goal, Charlie Lindgren stopped 12 of 14 shots before Clay Stevenson took over and turned aside all six shots he faced. Josh Dunne also drew notice for the right reasons, showing solid attention to detail.
In Other News...
Ovechkin's Camp Injury Just Put Washington's Early Season Focus In Doubt
Alex Ovechkins start to training camp has been a little quieter than Washington expected, with the Capitals captain listed as day-to-day because of a lower-body injury. The early omission has already trimmed into his ramp-up for the season, and it has put a familiar spotlight on how carefully the team manages its most important player when the calendar turns toward October. Coach Spencer Carbery and Ovechkin have both addressed his condition and his readiness, but for now the focus is simply on getting him back to full speed.
The Capitals are treating the situation cautiously, especially with preseason games offering the first real test of where the group stands. Ovechkin has missed recent practices and the team is still monitoring him before making decisions on his next appearance, which leaves Washington with a little less certainty than it would like at this stage. For a club trying to build early-season rhythm, any lost time for Ovechkin is worth watching closely, even if the injury is still being described in the most manageable terms. [Read more 🡒]