Spencer Carbery believes Capitals may have found good chemistry with forward lines against Kings
The Washington Capitals seem to have found their forward lines for the next few games.
With Pierre-Luc Dubois, a major part of the club’s top-six, out long-term due to injury, and the team’s long struggle to find depth scoring, the Caps have gone through several iterations of forward lines over the past couple of weeks. Head coach
Capitals 11/17 forward lines against Kings
Carbery has been particularly impressed with the recent play of his second line, featuring a rookie Justin Sourdif centering Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson. The Capitals have absolutely dominated their five-on-five minutes with the trio on the ice, seeing 74.9 percent of shot attempts, 89.8 percent of expected goals, 83.7 percent of scoring chances, and 86.2 percent of high-danger chances.
“When you make line changes, you’re watching to see if there’s any chemistry,” Carbery said Tuesday. “And so if there is, okay, one game, two games. But you really want to see it until it gets to that third game and fourth game. And it feels like to me that Sourdif line is starting to get to that point.
“We’re talking to each of the guys. They feel like they’re reading off of one another. They’re communicating well. All the guys are playing well. Their underlying numbers are good. The film looks really good, Sourdif looks really comfortable. Hopefully, this is something that can stay together for a significant amount of time.”
Carbery also separated Nic Dowd and Brandon Duhaime, who have rarely played apart since Duhaime signed with the Capitals in July 2024. Dowd took up third-line center duties between Ryan Leonard and Anthony Beauvillier on Monday, and the experiment worked: the Capitals did not give up a single high-danger chance during their five-on-five minutes together and owned 64.5 percent of expected goals.
“Dowder last night, I thought he was excellent,” Carbery said. “I thought he did a really good job with that line with Beau and Leno. Leno makes a few great plays, they keep some pucks alive, so there was some good chemistry there.”
The Capitals’ new top line of Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael, also had a major impact on the scoresheet for a second straight game. Since being united, the three have combined for seven points (3g, 4a) in two games.
Ovechkin’s goal against the Kings proved to be the game-winner, and his goal against the Devils this past weekend earned the Capitals a point by forcing the game to overtime.
“They score a goal (against the Kings),” Carbery said. “That’s what you need them to do because they end up on the plus side. They had some difficult assignments and some tough shifts, but at the end of the game, they’re plus one. They score the game-winning goal. So, yeah, I would agree with hopefully it’s a sign of things to come and we can keep some lines together for a significant amount [of time] or a decent stretch.”
The Capitals will face another tough test for their new lines when they host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night, looking to string two wins together for the first time in over three weeks.
Brian Burns Fires Back: ‘DPOY is on My Mind, and I’m Making My Case Clear’
New York Giants defensive standout Brian Burns is making it clear that, despite the team’s struggles, his individual performance speaks for itself. After a challenging season for the Giants, Burns has been one of the few bright spots on the defensive side, and he’s not shying away from the attention his performance is earning.
“I’m out here every day doing the work — sacks, pressures, whatever it takes. The team record doesn’t define my individual effort. I’m here to show what I’m made of, and I’m not backing down from the challenge. DPOY is on my mind, and I’m making my case clear,” Burns stated with unwavering confidence.
As the season progresses, Burns has continued to put together a series of impressive performances, consistently applying pressure on quarterbacks and making key tackles. His relentless work ethic has earned him recognition as one of the top defensive players in the league, and his pursuit of the prestigious Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is more than just talk — it's backed by his undeniable statistics.
While the Giants’ overall performance has been underwhelming this season, Burns’ ability to dominate on the field despite the team's challenges is a testament to his resilience and determination. His individual efforts are becoming hard to ignore, with his ability to disrupt the opposing offense in a variety of ways. Whether it’s sacking the quarterback, causing pressures, or forcing fumbles, Burns is doing it all, and he’s determined to keep up the momentum.
Despite the team’s disappointing record, Burns remains unfazed. “The record doesn’t matter to me,” he explained. “What I bring to the field, the effort I put in, is what defines me as a player. I’m here to make a difference, and I’m not waiting for anyone else to tell me how I’m performing. I know what I bring to the table.”
With DPOY on his mind, Burns is proving that individual excellence can stand out, even in a season full of setbacks. His dedication and focus on his craft are evident, and as the season continues, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on his performance. Whether or not Burns secures the DPOY award, his message is clear: he’s here to dominate, and he’s making his case loud and clear.
The Giants may be in a rebuilding phase, but with players like Burns leading the way, the future looks bright. He’s not just focused on individual accolades but also on helping his team grow and succeed. As the season moves forward, there’s no doubt that Brian Burns will continue to be a driving force on the defensive side, pushing himself and his team toward greatness.
