From 2016 until this past trade deadline, Lars Eller was among the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest rivals as a member of the Washington Capitals.
On the opening day for free agency, Eller joined the other side of the rivalry by signing a two-year deal with the Penguins and likely serving as their third-line center.
Despite there being a quick pit stop with the Colorado Avalanche, it feels a little like Eller is crossing enemy lines.
Despite a new team to call home, Eller returned to Washington to work with skating coach Wendy Marco.
Eller wore his new Penguins’ practice jersey to the skating session and Marco posted a selfie of proof on her Instagram story.
Marco wrote she’ll never get used to seeing Eller in black and gold.
Eller has also spent time with the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens in his 14-year NHL career, but Penguins’ fans most know him as a member of the Capitals.
During the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run, Ellar was an important piece to their postseason scoring 18 points in 24 games, including three game-winning goals.
In fact, it was Eller who pushed in the game-winning goal in the deciding Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
In 49 career games against the Penguins, Eller has recorded 24 points with a clean 12 goals and 12 assists.
Eller is also approaching his 1,000th game in the NHL currently sitting at 956 games.
If he remains healthy to start the season and doesn't miss any time, Eller will play in his 1,000th game against the Montreal Canadiens on January 27th.
Eller played six seasons with the Canadiens before joining the Capitals.
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