Washington Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko made his season debut on Wednesday and he did not disappoint in the team’s 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
After sitting out the first six games of the season, Miroshnichenko scored a power-play goal and landed a huge hit on Juraj Slafkovský in 10:01 of ice time.
Miroshichenko’s goal came with 26 seconds remaining in the first period, tying the game 2-2.
Ivan Miroshnichenko PPG
Looking for Alex Tuch at the far post, the Russian winger’s pass banked off Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and in. The tally marked his first goal in the NHL since March 26 against the Utah Mammoth.
As Miroshnichenko celebrated, he raised his arms high into the air in front of Alex Ovechkin‘s children, Sergei and Ilya, and his wife Nastya Ovechkina.
Miroshnichenko followed that up with another memorable moment late in the second period. As Juraj Slafkovský skated the puck through the neutral zone, the 6-foot-1 Capitals forward nailed the first overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft with a clean open-ice hit, connecting his left shoulder with Slafkovský’s chest.
As Slafkovský fell to the ice, he collided with Tom Wilson as the Capitals’ alternate captain skating up the ice.
The Canadiens went after Miroshnichenko for the play, despite it being a clean hit, and he ended up trading punches with Canadiens forward William Carrier.
Miroshnichenko was initially called for a major penalty on the play, so officials could review the hit. He eventually just received a two-minute minor penalty for roughing due to his gloved fight with Carrier.
In the third period, Miroshnichenko was on the ice for Justin Holl‘s goal late that put the Capitals up 4-3. He set up shop by Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes looking for a rebound.
“I thought Miro from his first shift of the game, the physicality, right?” Carbery said to the media after the game. “The the power play is is what it is, the game-winning goal [sic] with LP (Little Pro) and Ovi and Hollsy with a great [shot]. But his physicality and tenaciousness on the puck. He was in low coverage, I just really appreciated the way that he played. Not the the goal, assist side, or production side. I thought he played really really hard, (it was) something that we needed, and (he) brought a lot to that line. So good for him in this first game of the season.”
Carbery’s praise of Miroshnichenko were even more exuberant in the locker room during his post-game victory speech to the team.
“And one more thing. I know LP and O helped this come to fruition, but I thought 63 was phenomenal,” Carbery said. “Not just PP, physical right from your first f***ing shift. Hell of a job, Miro!”
While the Capitals did not drive play much with Miroshnichenko on the ice at five-on-five — they saw deficits in shot attempts (12-5), scoring chances (5-1), and high-danger chances (2-1) — the issue was an endemic one as the Canadiens dominated a tired Capitals team on the back-end of their back-to-back.
Miroshnichenko’s competitiveness and penchant to make big plays will likely make it a lot easier for Carbery to turn to the Russian forward when the Capitals need a spark or have more injuries to their forward ranks.
