Hendrix Lapierre played the fifth fewest minutes of any Washington Capitals player against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, but he was arguably the difference maker in the team’s 4-3 victory.
Lapierre led all Capitals skaters in ice time (1:24) during three-on-three overtime, creating the play that led to Dylan Strome’s overtime winner. The 2020 first-round pick earned a secondary assist on the tally, giving him 10 points (6g, 4a) in his last 15 games.
“That overtime, Lappy escapes pressure there with his feet out of (Lucas) Raymond,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said in the team’s postgame celebration. “And then that play on the three-on-two… John Carlson, Stromer. Great f—-ing job.”
A talented player in small ice (think stick-handling out of a phone booth), Lapierre gave Red Wings defenders fits with his speed, puck-handling, and skating ability. The 22-year-old was given the OT start from Carbery, taking the ice with veterans Dylan Strome and John Carlson. Strome took the opening draw as the French Canadian center started on the wing, giving the Caps a backup in the faceoff dot if Strome was kicked out.
Twice, Lapierre shed Lucas Raymond, skating the puck out of the defensive zone by himself. First, 30 seconds into overtime, the 2023 Calder Cup champion used a flurry of stop-and-start moves behind the Capitals net to drive play the other way. Then, 1:45 into the session, he skated backward along the sidewall before another quick stop and turning up ice. Raymond fell down, generating a three-on-two rush.
Lapierre hit Strome at neutral ice with a perfect pass as he skated down the center lane. Strome dropped a pass to Carlson and then the Capitals’ top-pairing defenseman returned the favor, sending a pass back to Strome who tipped the puck home past goaltender Alex Lyon.
Carbery admitted that Lapierre’s speed was “the difference” in overtime.
The Capitals gave up nothing to the Red Wings in the extra frame. They owned an advantage in shot attempts (4-0), scoring chances (2-0), and high-danger chances (1-0).
With Lapierre on the ice at all strengths, the Capitals dominated 18 to 8 in shot attempts over the Red Wings, good for the highest shot-attempt percentage of the night (69.2 percent).
There are moments where you can see a young player’s development happen in real time, where they understand their strengths and what makes them different. The breakthroughs are when they have the confidence to utilize those skills in big moments. Lapierre is becoming a player unfurled, growing by the game under Spencer Carbery.
