For some Capitals players, this weekend’s final two preseason games are simply a way to sharpen their skills before the real NHL battles begin next week.
For others, there is far more at stake.
When the Caps take the ice Friday night at Verizon Center against Columbus, it is anything but a meaningless exhibition to players like Andrew Gordon, Jay Beagle and Matt Hendricks. Each of those three forwards are fighting for what could be the final spot on the 23-man roster. All have acquitted themselves well this preseason. But has it been enough? They have the game against Columbus and then Sunday afternoon’s contest at home against Nashville to prove it to the coaches and team officials.
“We come here in shape. We do well in testing and in scrimmages and practices. And that’s all great,” said Hendricks, who scored three goals in Washington’s preseason opener last week. “But the games are the time when they’re doing the most judging of a player’s character and ability. For most of us that’s our time to shine.”
Gordon has a goal and an assist in two games. Beagle scored one himself last weekend against Nashville. All of them are pushing far more established players like David Steckel and Boyd Gordon, who appear to be locks given past performances in Washington but also can’t afford to slip — or even get injured and give another player a chance.
“Not a minute goes by that the young guys we have are not believing that they can get it done,” Boudreau said. “And then they go to the other extreme: ‘Well, how can I beat out this guy?’ Then they’ll go, ‘I think I had a great game. I got a chance.’ It’s a really emotional roller coaster. But it’s what we do and why we love doing it.”
