Takeaways, Standouts & What To Know From The Capitals' First Win Of The Preseason Over Boston
Here's everything to know from the Capitals' 5-2 win over the Bruins in their preseason opener.
The Washington Capitals got their preseason off to a picture-perfect start, doing just about everything right en route to a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins.
It was Sonny Milano’s night, though, as the 29-year-old hit the ground running in the training camp competition with two goals and an assist in the first period, and a four-point night by the end of it. Hendrix Lapierre also scored and had a three-point outing of his own, and Bogdan Trineyev and Ryan Chesley also got on the board.
Here are all the takeaways and what to know from Sunday’s victory.
Milano Shines In First Game Since Nov. 6, 2024
It’d been almost over a year since Sonny Milano last took the ice after missing all but three games last season due to an upper-body injury and subsequent setback. Now fully healthy, he’s ready to show what he can do, and sent a clear message to Spencer Carbery just minutes into his first taste of game action since Nov. 6, 2024: he’s ready for his return to the NHL.
Milano, who’s been one of the stronger skaters to open training camp, got Washington on the board with a nifty backhander in the first, and after helping force a turnover to set up Hendrix Lapierre minutes later, he got on the board again after sneaking behind the defense and burying a bardown shot.
The 29-year-old added an assist in the second to cap off a four-point performance, but it wasn’t just his production that stood out. He was one of the fastest players on the ice, he was showcasing his vision and quick hands and his shot is also in season form. But his defensive game was also impressive, too, as he protected the puck well and played responsibly.
It’s exactly how Milano wanted to start the preseason, and if he keeps up the pace, he’s not just going to return to the roster, but the lineup full-time as well.
Lapierre Shows Grit & Skill, Starts On Right Foot
Sunday also marked the first time Hendrix Lapierre found himself back in a Capitals jersey in months; the last game he played up in D.C. was on Dec. 28 before he was sent back to the AHL’s Hershey Bears to find his game again.
Lapierre is eager to do what he can to stick around, and Sunday was an important step in the right direction. After setting up Milano and then getting on the board himself in the first with a quick shot of his own, he served as a catalyst on offense, leading the charge at center.
He showed some grit, too, throwing his weight around, getting in puck battles and not shying away from the play. After taking a puck up high and going off for some repairs to fix his bleeding mouth, he returned to the ice and powered a 3-on-1 break, threading the needle to find Ryan Chelsey for a tap-in.
The 23-year-old later led a 2-on-1 give-and-go play with Leon Muggli, and was all over the ice and making smart plays all night long. He also added the shootout competition winner after all was said and done.
Miroshnichenko & Trineyev Work Well In Tandem, Lakovic Makes Preseason Debut
Also competing for roster spots are Ivan Miroshnichenko and Bogdan Trineyev, who also got on the board with points of their own. Miroshnichenko was a force on the puck and forced a turnover before finding Trineyev in front for a goal.
Looking at the camp competition so far, Miroshnichenko has impressed as one of the team’s faster, more physical skaters, while he hasn’t shied away from showing off his wicked shot, either. He needs to continue to work on his play without the puck, and also left after being clipped up high but later returned.
Trineyev is showing grit and the ability to get to the open space, and also played a solid two-way game while working wonders on the backcheck and sacrificing the body.
Lynden Lakovic, one of the standouts to open training camp so far, also made his Capitals debut this preseason, and played a solid game on the fourth line with Eriks Mateiko and Spencer Smallman, moving his feet, generating chances and using his size to his advantage. He got a breakaway bid in the third, but shot it wide, and skated 13:53 minutes in his first taste of NHL action.
Chisholm Makes Capitals Debut, Iorio & Chesley Step Up On Defense
The Capitals also got their first look at Declan Chisholm on the backend on Sunday, and he played a steady game on the top pairing with Trevor van Riemsdyk. He has speed and good puck-moving ability, and protects the puck well. He finished with an even plus/minus through 20:46 minutes.
Who really stood out on the blue line, though, was Vincent Iorio. The 22-year-old led all blueliners with and was first over the boards on the penalty killed, and played an impressive, responsible game.
He was throwing his 6-foot-4 frame around, engaged physically, sticking up for his teammates and controlling the tempo of play well in the defensive zone while moving the puck out of harm’s way. He also got involved in quite a few net-front scrums and got under his opponent’s skin. Ultimately, Iorio led Washington in ice time with 21:25 minutes of ice time.
Ryan Chesley also looked solid in his preseason debut for D.C., moving his feet well, jumping up in the play and getting on the board with a nice goal off the rush.
Bjorklund Dazzles In Goal
After Logan Thompson stopped 14 of 16 in his return to play, Garin Bjorklund took over in the crease and helped steal the show with a strong showing in net.
Bjorklund, making a run for a full-time job up in the AHL this season, was strong in his first showing, moving well laterally, tracking pucks effectively and coming up with some strong stops, including a couple breakaway opportunities.
The 23-year-old, who had back surgery a few years ago and has had quite a journey to the pros, stopped all 12 shots against in regulation. Then, in shootout practice, he went 5-for-5, including an impressive sliding save on Matej Blumel.
Top Shelf Takes
Ethen Frank picked up an assist and was making impressive plays over the course of the game, while using his speed to his advantage.
Leon Muggli also looked strong as he jumped up in the rush and logged over 20 minutes.
Anthony Beauvillier was a plus-3 and helped lead the charge for D.C.