Justin Sourdif shines at center as Hendrix Lapierre shifts to wing

With Pierre-Luc Dubois still out, head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters he wanted a longer look at Sourdif down the middle. He got it mid-game, flipping Hendrix Lapierre to the wing-and suddenly, the third line started to click.

Sourdif looked comfortable right away, handling defensive matchups and leading zone exits with confidence. His quick reads helped the line maintain possession, something that had been missing through much of the young season.

Lapierre, meanwhile, responded well to the change. Freed from defensive coverage responsibilities, he played with more pace and found open ice in transition. The shift paid off when he recorded his first point of the season, assisting on a Jakob Chychrun goal late in the third.

Carbery didn't overhype the move, but his tone said plenty. He liked what he saw and suggested postgame that Sourdif could stay at center a little longer, depending on Dubois's recovery timeline.

From a fan's view, the experiment looked overdue. Lapierre's struggles as a third-line center have stretched across two seasons, full of flashes but short on results. On the wing, he finally looked loose, and the bench noticed.

Here's the post that fueled Monday's buzz around practice:

Sourdif's energy was contagious. His faceoff work steadied the group, and his patience with the puck allowed wingers to stretch the defense. Those little plays earned him a few approving nods from veterans between shifts.

Lapierre's assist might not rewrite his story, but it was the right step at the right time. Confidence matters for young players, and the wing could be where he finally builds some.

For Carbery, this is exactly the type of midseason tweak he loves. He's balancing development and results, trying to find a mix that competes now while setting up the next core. And if Sourdif can handle the defensive grind of centering, it changes the depth chart quickly.

The Capitals aren't calling it a permanent change yet, but it felt like more than a test. The line had rhythm, and that's been rare this month. Whether it sticks or not, it gave fans something hopeful to talk about after a frustrating start.