No Panik puns here (Caps Outsider)
We all know that one of the important parts of preseason is getting the new guys comfortable with the team. In Wednesday’s 3-2 win, both Radko Gudas and Richard Panik scored, much to the delight of coach Todd Reirden who stressed the importance of contributions from players other than, you know, Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom (more on him later).
“…I thought was great for our team was that you have Gudas scores a goal and Panik scores a goal,” Reirden said after the game. “We talked before the game about their first time wearing the Caps jersey, and even though it’s not a regular season game and they’re not first-year pros, it’s still kind of a fun challenge for them and an exciting time for them coming to a new team and that’s something I emphasized after the game.”
Gudas scored on a rebound and Panik scored after a John Carlson shot bounced off the backboards and to him, in front of the net, where he was camping out with T.J. Oshie.
Meanwhile, Backstrom dumped a puck in on the goalie very late in the game and scored. He wasn’t around to speak to after the game (despite efforts to find him), but Reirden said that you don’t often see Backstrom dump a puck in on the goalie, so perhaps he ‘saw something.’
“He’s as crafty as they come, as creative as they come,” Reirden said.
Gudas is getting ready with the playoff beard.Another first! This time it's Richard Panik who ties it up pic.twitter.com/ThqTEArzBu
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 19, 2019
