4 takeaways after the Capitals first two preseason games

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

2. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

3. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

4. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

5. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

6.

7.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

8. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

9. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

10. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

11. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

12. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

13.

14.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

15. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

16. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

17. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

18. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

19. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

20.

21.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

22. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

23. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

24. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

25. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

26. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

27.

28.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

29. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

30. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

31. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

32. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

33. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

34.

35.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

36. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

37. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

38. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

39. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

40. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

41.

42.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

43. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

44. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

45. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

46. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

47. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

48.

49.

The Washington Capitals played the Flyers last night in Hershey. The Caps won 5-2, one night after the other half of the lost to the Bruins in Beantown 3-2 in a shootout. With the shortened training camp and fewer preseason games to get players up to speed and to figure out which players make the opening night roster, each game is important.

Here are a few thoughts after two preseason games.

50. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard clicking

Leonard, fresh off signing his new 8-year contract extension, showed off his wicked wrister and he and Dylan Strome showed that they might have some chemistry brewing. This bodes well for both as Leonard tries to build on his promising rookie season and Strome tries to bounce back from a down year last season. Sure, it’s only one game, but it is a promising start.

51. The line combinations are still a work in progress

Boone Jenner, Justin Sourdif, and Anthony Beauvillier showed some flashes Sunday night in Boston and look to be a very good fourth line in the making. Strome had a goal and an assist, Leonard had a goal on five shots. The Protas-Protas-Kyrou line played well last night in Hershey. The Alex Tuch, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Tom Wilson line did not play that well Sunday night in Boston. It’s only preseason and guys are still rusty, but the latter three looked out of sorts. If they don’t click before the season, there will be changes.

52. Miro is making his case

Forward Ivan Miroshnichenko was on a mission Sunday night against the Bruins. Miro scored a goal on 6 shots. He was all around the puck, battling for loose pucks in the corners and driving to the net. Miro has come a long way since being drafted and beating cancer, and this is probably his last chance to make the team. He would have to clear waivers to be sent to Hershey, which he won’t. Teams will snap him up if he hits the waiver wire. His chances of making the team are definitely better after one game. He will have to keep it up.

53. Ryan Chesley gets on the score sheet

Rookie defenseman Ryan Chesley showed up in a big way yesterday in Hershey. He netted three assists in the 5-2 rout, displaying his passing skills and his defensive acumen. After four years in college and a year in Hershey, Chesley could be ready for the jump to the NHL. With Rasmus Sandin out with a knee injury for at least a few more months, Chesley has a good chance to make the club out of camp if he continues playing like he did last night.  

54. Cristall gets ejected

Andrew Cristall did not factor into the scoring after being ejected for a dangerous crosscheck to the throat of Flyers Hunter MacDonald. Cristall would probably have to be perfect in the preseason to make the roster with the Capitals depth the way it is. Getting a game misconduct in his first preseason game isn't going to help his case.

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