Hendrix Lapierre appears set for a major opportunity in his first game back in Washington.
The former Capitals first-round pick is expected to play on Sidney Crosby’s wing when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Capital One Arena on Wednesday night, placing Lapierre in a prominent role against his former team less than four months after being traded away.
“It’s a massive opportunity,” Lapierre said after Pittsburgh’s Tuesday practice. “If that’s what it is tomorrow, I’m going to obviously try to make the most of it. I know I’m ready. It’s just a privilege. I’ll work as hard as I can, make sure we have a good game, and talk a lot.”
Penguins projected lines against Capitals (via @OtherNHLCrosby/X)
Lapierre kicked off his stint with the Penguins by recording three points (1g, 2a) in his first two games with the club before his former Hershey Bears and Caps teammate, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Clay Stevenson, kept him off the scoresheet on Monday night. He previously centered Pittsburgh’s third line.
The 24-year-old forward bounced between center and wing throughout his NHL career with the Capitals, so he says he won’t have much trouble moving back to the wing.
“I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but I feel super comfortable anywhere,” Lapierre said. “I’ve played on the wing in the NHL. I’ve played at center. I’ve played an offensive role, defensive role, so I can do whatever. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter to me.
“Again, the transition is not very hard. I said it before. I said it this summer. I’ll do anything for this team, whatever role they want me to play.”
Penguins head coach Dan Muse pointed to Lapierre’s versatility when explaining why he had Lapierre bumped up in his lineup next to one of the NHL’s all-time greats.
“You got guys that are kind of a little bit of that Swiss Army knife and could play in some different roles in different places,” Muse said. “And so from game to game, and especially when you have guys that could potentially be coming back (from injury), you’re going to want to look at some different things. (It’s) something we looked at today in practice.”
The “massive opportunity” comes in an especially unusual setting for Lapierre, who will be playing against the organization that drafted him in 2020 and where he spent parts of five seasons.
“I think it’ll be a little weird,” Lapierre said. “Obviously still pretty close to those guys, but I’m super excited. I don’t really know what to say, honestly. I think it’s going to be a great challenge. They have a good team. That rivalry has been going on for a lot of years, as you guys know. I’m just excited to battle against these guys and be there again in that rink, but in a different environment.”
Wednesday will also give Lapierre his first chance to play against Alex Ovechkin, who recently announced he will retire at the end of this season.
“It’s going to be pretty special,” Lapierre said. “I played with him for a couple years, and it was a pleasure. It was an honor. Really, truly had a great time there and playing with him, and he’s a great leader. It’s going to be a little weird tomorrow, but I’m super excited. He’s had a heck of a career. To be able to play against him in his final year is going to be special. It should be a really good game.”
Outside of the game being Lapierre’s and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk’s first back in DC, the Capitals are also hosting their home opener at Capital One Arena — Ovechkin’s last of his career. Puck drop for the rivalry matchup is set for 7:30 pm.
