Opinion

Caps’ Second Line a Lethal Weapon

 

Justin Williams celebrates a hat trick (Caps Outsider)

It’s no secret that Evgeny Kuznetsov is a fantastic player. However, we can’t forget about his line-mates. Together, I believe the trio of Andre Burakovsky, Justin Williams and Kuznetsov make up one of the best lines in hockey.

Whenever they are in the zone, they go to work cycling the puck. Announcers have even nicknamed “The Globetrotters” for their work with the puck. They develop plays nicely and draw penalties. Best of all, they can get the puck in the net.

When they are in the zone, they are there for a long time. Take a look at this graphic from war-on-ice.

via war-on-ice
via war-on-ice

If you ask me, it shows, how good the second line really is. Both Kuznetsov and Williams are out-performing both Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom while Burakovsky is doing just a bit worse than Backstrom. I think the team runs on this line. Kuzy is top in the league with primary assists and third overall in assists. He is also 5th in the league in points.

This line draws penalties, the goals can pile up fast with the Caps’ top-ranked power play (despite its recent skid). In addition, they put the other team on their heels and tire them out with great forecheck and great puck movement inside the zone.

This line will be key to our playoff success. While teams send their “shutdown” pairs and line against Backstrom, Ovechkin, and T.J. Oshie, look for this line to rack up the points and torch teams. When this line goes, the Caps go. That is why this is the best line on the Caps, and one of the best in the league.

Brandon Alter

Brandon Alter covers all three teams in the Washington Capitals Organization. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2021.

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