WASHINGTON, DC — Alex Tuch continued his strong start to the season on Wednesday, tallying three points in the Capitals’ 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Since joining the Capitals this offseason, Tuch has arguably been Washington’s best skater. He’s recorded six points (5g, 1a) in his first seven games, tied with Ryan Leonard (2g, 4a) for the team lead, and Wednesday marked his second two-goal performance for the Caps despite playing away from his dominant line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson.
Tuch’s five goals now lead the Capitals, nearly doubling second-place Boone Jenner (3 goals), and he’s tied for ninth place in the NHL. Asked about his high-scoring pace so far, Tuch first turned to self deprecation.
“My first couple were pretty lucky. A couple empty-netters,” he said with a sheepish grin. “Obviously missed an empty-netter tonight.”
Head coach Spencer Carbery had no such qualms about praising Tuch’s play.
“He’s been huge…He’s going to be a welcome addition for a lot of years to come, and he’s off to a great start,” Carbery said.
Tuch got his first assist with the Caps in the first period, then added a goal of his own in the second while Washington was shorthanded. After a pass from Lane Hutson ricocheted off of Juraj Slafkovsky’s skate, the puck skittered towards the blue line, allowing Tuch to gain possession.
He and Aliaksei Protas sped into a two-on-one, and Tuch appeared to prepare for a pass, but he instead made a no-look shot, keeping his eyes away from the net and deceiving the Habs as he beat Jakub Dobes for the goal.
Tuch suggested postgame that any of his teammates could have shot without looking: instead, his priority was ensuring a clear shot lane, noting that the Canadiens have a tendency to lay down for shot blocks.
“When you play hockey, you know where the net is at all times, especially in the o-zone, just growing up practicing, shooting, and everything,” he said. “So I think anyone in this locker room doesn’t really have to look at the net.
“I knew where I wanted to shoot. I’m more looking to see where the defenseman is. So I make sure I get that puck through without it getting blocked.”
In the third period, Tuch added another tally, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal. Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier loosed the puck from a battle along the boards, but it landed on Tuch’s stick at the left circle. He skated around Zachary Bolduc to open up a lane and then shot the puck from the slot.
Though he missed on an empty-net shot that would have gotten him a hat trick, Tuch’s three-point effort against the Canadiens was enough to see him named First Star of the Game, the second time this season he’s earned the title. He celebrated by tossing his stick to a fan in the stands.
After his initial self-deprecating response about empty-netters, Tuch cited high shot volume, movement, and confidence as major factors in his hot goal-scoring start to the season.
“I’m a guy who likes to shoot the puck in opportunities,” he said. “I think it’s just being able to create space for myself. I thought the first couple games I was able to do so, and then I wasn’t really getting my shot volume as much as I wanted to. Not really many grade-A’s.
“Tonight, I thought I was moving my feet a lot more, creating some opportunities, and then it’s always a little bit of a confidence boost when you get a couple looks on some two-on-ones, and especially on the PK, if you can get some offense that way. That’s something that I’ve always really enjoyed.”
Tuch’s set to play in DC for years to come, inking an eight-year deal worth $10.5 million per season as part of the sign-and-trade that sent him to DC. For players who have experience trying to defend against him, having Tuch on their side is a welcome change.
“After playing (against) him for the last four years, you just know how deadly his release is,” said Charlie Lindgren, who saw Tuch score five times in his six career games against him. “You saw that tonight. I mean, two massive goals there, sniper’s goals, you know. So good to see. Fun to have [him] on our side now.”
