(Alexeyev with the Bears. Photo courtesy of Cory Lyons.)
Alex Alexeyev recorded his first career NHL point on Dec. 9 when he assisted on Anthony Mantha’s game-tying goal with just over five minutes into the second period in Washington’s 4-1 win. Alexeyev passed from the left point to Matt Irwin at the right point, before the latter fired a shot on net. Mantha found the loose puck and slotted it past Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
GRUNGE GOAL pic.twitter.com/V35hXN9oWx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2022
Minutes later, Alexeyev was then forced to exit the game when he received a high hit from Jamie Oleksiak. Oleksiak received a match penalty for the hit.
Alexeyev has been ruled out for the rest of tonight's game. The Capitals are down yet another player. Here's the hit by Oleksiak: pic.twitter.com/M5LC0Bi3AM
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) December 10, 2022
“Hopefully there’s maybe a suspension coming,” Mantha said after the game.
The Capitals scored the game winning goal on the ensuing man advantage when Sonny Milano dished the puck to Marcus Johansson, whose glove side shot trickled in after Grubauer got a piece of the shot. Milano now has an assist in three of his last four games.
flick of the wrist pic.twitter.com/W97xam1GXl
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2022
Unfortunately, this is just the latest injury for Alexeyev, who was also injured during training camp. But when healthy, he’s played well, with 49 points in 142 games in Hershey.
“He’s come in, he’s given us good minutes,” Coach Peter Laviolette said. “He’s had a tough go with the injury, training camp not going the way he wanted because of the injury.”
With all the injuries, the Caps have needed someone to step up, and Laviolette said Alexeyev “has done that.”
“It’s always nice to get your first point in the NHL,” Laviolette said.
