Capitals forward Quintin Laing has provided a little bit of everything since being recalled from American Hockey League affiliate Hershey last month.
The gritty Laing blocks shots like a maniac and is an effective penalty killer. He is unafraid of contact in front of the net — as evidenced by a near toothless grin. Apparently he scores goals now, too.
Late in the second period of Monday night’s contest at Verizon Center against the New Jersey Devils, Laing pounced on a rebound and flipped a shot past goalie Kevin Weekes. It was the first goal of Laing’s eight-year professional career and the decisive tally in a 3-2 victory.
“I was so excited when I saw the puck go in I didn’t know what to do,” said Laing, whose only previous stint in the NHL came during three games in the 2003-04 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. “I didn’t know if I should keep skating or jump around or what. I think [Caps defenseman] Jeff Schultz finally stopped me.”
The Caps (11-17-2, 24 points) have won three of four games and continue to show signs of life since interim coach Bruce Boudreau was hired Thanksgiving Day. They have a 5-3-1 record since the coaching change and the latest win avenged a frustrating 3-2 loss at New Jersey (16-11-3, 35 points) last Friday.
Laing was recalled from Hershey when checking-line forward Boyd Gordon broke his hand in a loss to Florida on Nov. 28. But Laing has contributed all over the ice in this five-game stint and might be serving notice he won’t be easily dislodged.
“But I’m not looking past tomorrow,” Laing said. “Every shift I’m pretending it’s my last out there. That’s how I have to play to even have a chance to stick around.”
The Caps led 2-1 after the second intermission, but caught a break 52 seconds into the third period when a goal by New Jersey defenseman Mike Mottau was overturned by replay officials because he apparently kicked the puck past Caps goalie Olie Kolzig. It was a critical call because 1 minute, 27 seconds later Devils forward David Clarkson slid a shot past Kolzig to make it 3-2 anyway.
“We’ve lost so many, so many one-goal games this year and those are the ones you need to make the playoffs,” said Caps forward Matt Bradley. “But there’s nothing we can do about our start now. It’s all about getting the wins we can.”
A Capital Night
» Caps D Jeff Schultz scored his second goal in as many games, a slapper from just inside the blue line after a cross-ice pass from F Alex Ovechkin just 53 seconds into the second period.
» Rookie F Nicklas Backstrom is third among all NHL rookies in points scored with 19, trailing only Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Backstrom has recorded nine points in his last eight games.
» The Caps PK killed off all five New Jersey power plays.
