Ryan Leonard is back, and he hasn’t missed a beat.
After missing seven consecutive games due to a shoulder injury, Leonard was activated off the injured list before puck drop and immediately made his presence felt against the New York Rangers, especially during an electrifying second period where he posted two points.
Leonard’s biggest play didn’t even involve getting on the scoresheet — though he did draw a penalty on the play. After taking a pass in the neutral zone, Leonard deked Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson hard to the ice as he changed directions approaching the blue line.
The move sprung the Capitals’ rookie on a breakaway, but he was unable to finish the play on his backhand after being slashed on the arm by Robertson.
What a move.
Leonard was also credited with two secondary assists in the stanza.
After a strong drive to the middle of the ice, Leonard dished to Aliaksei Protas, who then found John Carlson wide open at the point for a goal.
Later, on a Capitals power play, a hard Leonard shot from the top of the right circle bounced over to Dylan Strome on the right side, who finished the play for his second goal in the last 21 games.
If you ignore the Anaheim Ducks game where Leonard was injured by Jacob Trouba in the first period and played only 4:38, the Caps winger now has points in five straight full games played. During that stretch, Leonard has nine points (2g, 7a) in his last five games, including a career-best four-point game.
