Ivan Miroshnichenko is riding the longest point streak of his career after tallying an assist on Nic Dowd’s goal in the Washington Capitals’ 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. The 20-year-old winger has chipped in an assist in three straight games, adding to his one goal this season to give him four points in six games.
Miroshnichenko’s latest stint with the Capitals comes after Alex Ovechkin fractured the fibula in his left leg against Utah HC on November 18. The young Russian started in Spencer Carbery’s top six but has spent the last five games skating with Nic Dowd and Brandon Duhaime on the club’s fourth line.
“We’re just hoping that he continues to develop and grow, and we get him in NHL games,” Carbery told 106.7 The Fan’s Sports Junkies. “Anytime a guy can accumulate some points and feel good, because especially offensive players, like there’s no secret they want to produce offensively and when they get goals, assists, it helps their confidence level and helps them feel good about their game.”
Despite the recent uptick in production, Miroshnichenko has not received more than 9:38 of ice time in a single game during his point streak. He averaged 12:08 of ice time with the Capitals in 21 games last season, but the team’s deeper 2024-25 roster has allowed Carbery and his staff to ease Miroshnichenko back into what they believe to be a better development path.
“So we know it’s going to be a process with Miro,” Carbery said. “It’s going to take time. He’s still such a young player in this league and still trying to learn and develop. We’re happy that he’s able to gain confidence as he accumulates some points, and that and he’ll just continue to grow and continue to develop.”
Among all rookie skaters in the NHL this season, Miroshnichenko ranks fourth in point-per-game rate (0.67). The only players outpacing him are Logan Stankoven (0.70), Matvei Michkov (0.83), and Macklin Celebrini (0.94). All three of those players average at least 6:05 more ice time per game than Miroshnichenko.
The Capitals have also been excellent with Miroshnichenko on the ice five-on-five, controlling 60.7 percent of the shot attempts, 58.2 percent of the expected goals, 56.5 percent of the scoring chances, and 58.1 percent of the high-danger chances. They have managed those numbers in his 47:10 of five-on-five ice time, despite Miro getting just two offensive-zone shift starts compared to a combined 21 neutral zone and defensive zone shift starts.
Miroshnichenko started this season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears after being one of Washington’s final training camp cuts. He was out to a hot start with Hershey, ranking second on the Bears in scoring with 14 points (7g, 7a) through 16 games at the time of his recall.
Carbery mentioned during the preseason that the Capitals wanted to see Miroshnichenko become a 25-30 goal scorer. He was on pace for 31 goals in the AHL before being called up to the Capitals.
