Amidst trade talk, Andre Burakovsky is trying to turn his season around.
In the first period of the Caps bout against the San Jose Sharks, Burakovsky received a drop pass from Chandler Stephenson and rifled the puck through Radim Simek, beating Martin Jones glove side.
The goal gave the Capitals a brief 2-1 lead.
Video
The important thing to note about Burakovsky’s goal is this toe-drag. It’s absolutely nasty, moving Jones off his angle slightly and messing with Simek’s positioning as a defender. It looks like an Auston Matthews snipe, which is some elite company.
To celebrate, Burakovsky pumped both of his fists. Please notice how excited John Carlson was for Lucca Carlson’s best friend.
Burakovsky has been the target of speculated trade rumors, and as early as Tuesday morning, it was reported by Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic that Arizona, Vancouver, Colorado, and Dallas all expressed interest in the slumping winger.
While it was also reported that the Caps were entertaining those offers, some teams balked due to the $3.5 million price tag Burakovsky is earning.
But Burkie may be starting to turn things around. His goal tonight is his third point in four periods, and his first goal in 15 games.
Andre Burakovsky gives the Caps a 2-1 lead with his sixth goal of the season. Burakovsky now has three points (1g, 2a) in his last two games.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 23, 2019
