“Our top-six, that’s what you are going to see tonight,” Barry Trotz said nearly three weeks ago after finalizing his defensive lineup. “That’s our top-six. Nate is seven.”
Except seventh defenseman Nate Schmidt keeps making that already bad decision look worse and worse. Tuesday night after stepping in for an injured John Carlson, Schmidt scored his third goal of the season. Despite a long stretch in-between games (March 14), Schmidt has goals in consecutive outings.
Video
Schmidty wide open! #CapsLeafs @csnma pic.twitter.com/fqtpE3Yrw3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2017
The goal was made possible by a beautiful, behind-the-back pass by Justin Williams and an even better backhanded, tape-to-tape pass by Brett Connolly.
Nate Schmidt, pinching in from the point, unleashed a beautiful wrist shot past Curtis McElhinney.
Beautiful.
Schmidt was dominant against the Leafs, tilting the ice heavily in favor of the Capitals. The Caps put 15 shots on net and absorbed 7 shots against when Schmidt was on the ice. Schmidt finished with a 68 shot attempts percentage, despite spending most of the night with Karl Alzner.
Graph: @muneebalamcu
“The first two shifts the legs weren’t feeling too good after the morning skate,” Schmidt said. “Actually, it was kind of a seamless transition. Karl and I were talking a lot to each other and that’s just a big part of our D as a whole. We do a good job making sure, in any situation we can, our guys are communicating and making sure everybody’s feeling comfortable with what’s going on in the game.”
Schmidt found out that he would play “about three quarters away through warm-ups.” John Carlson, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, could not suit up and will miss tomorrow’s game against the New York Rangers.
“It was fun to be back out there,” Schmidt said with a smile. “It was a good game for us and it was fun atmosphere to be a part of.”
If Barry Trotz had a Twitter, I would just tweet him pictures of Nate Schmidt everyday. Like this one. pic.twitter.com/JbGwqE2awU
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) April 5, 2017
I’ll leave you with this.
It was like watching our son walk across the stage & get his high school diploma when he worked so hard & never got recognition from anyone.
— RMNB (@russianmachine) April 5, 2017
But his best friend in the corner of the room has been there the whole time. Giving him a standing ovation. It's us. We are the best friend.
— RMNB (@russianmachine) April 5, 2017
