Eller plays least of any Capitals player in Game 2
Photo credit: RMNB
Lars Eller, who famously scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal for the Washington Capitals, is no stranger to delivering in the playoffs.
But seven years later, the veteran two-way center has seen his role diminish, logging the fewest minutes on the team during a Game 2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lars Eller plays least of any Capitals player in Game 2 against the Hurricanes.
Chris Cerullo from RMNB writes that Eller played just 9:06 in the 3-1 win, marking his lowest ice time of the playoffs and the third-lowest of the entire 2024-25 season.
After Friday's practice, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery clarified that Eller's limited ice time was an isolated case and not a reflection of his overall performance in the playoffs.
«I think Lars has been solid. I think last night was a little bit tough. They have that shift that was getting sort of two-plus minutes. Then, we're sort of on our heels in the third period after that shift, so now we essentially go to three lines at that point. At this time of year, when you get into these moments, one-goal games, you're going basically with your penalty kill guys protecting a lead and spot some other guys in at certain points.» -Carbery
Carbery has largely kept the lineup consistent throughout the team's seven playoff games, but made his first significant adjustment for Game 2 against Carolina. Rookie forward Ryan Leonard was scratched in favor of veteran winger Taylor Raddysh, who took his place on Eller's line.
Carbery wasn't worried about the subpar performance, highlighting the line's overall success throughout the playoffs. He also suggested that Raddysh would probably remain in the lineup over Leonard for Game 3.
«I thought they've done a good job. They played well through the Montreal series. [Mangiapane] scored a huge goal in Montreal. I know they all weren't on the ice in that moment, but a big goal there. I thought they've given us solid minutes and we're going to need more of it, to be honest with you, with now going on the road and playing down in Carolina." -Carbery
Eller has registered only one point in the playoffs so far, and the four forwards on the third line have totaled just five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in seven games. With Carbery unable to dictate matchups on the road in Raleigh, the Capitals will likely need a stronger contribution from Eller and the entire line in Games 3 and 4.
| POLL | ||
MAI 10 | 23 ANSWERS Eller plays least of any Capitals player in Game 2 Are you confident that Capitals forward Lars Eller can bounce back in Game 3 on Saturday in Carolina? | ||
| yes | 7 | 30.4 % |
| no | 16 | 69.6 % |
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