"The Most Fun I've Had Playing," Capitals' Dubois Says Of His First Season With The Capitals
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Doing what you love every day, and having fun doing it, is often a rare thing. In Pierre-Luc Dubois' case, he could not be happier playing hockey for the Washington Capitals.
And Dubois, who seems to have found a home he loves with the Capitals, had been let go by 3 different teams prior to his arrival in Washington: Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings.
Pierre-Luc was released by the Kings after only one year of his eight-year contract. It turned out to be the best thing for his career, as his time with L.A was described as being 'turbulent and tumultuous', by Chris Cerullo of RMNB.
"It's the most fun I've had playing hockey," Dubois said on Breakdown Day. "This group, the enthusiasm, the fun we have is contagious and bleeds onto the ice. I couldn't have asked for more. I couldn't have asked for better. This feels really like a perfect fit."
Under coach Carbery, Dubois was given added responsibility, and he responded quite nicely, receiving high praise from the coach, who claimed Pierre-Luc was 'arguably our most valuable player and shut-down center'.
"I was confident he was going to be a good player for us, but you never know," Carbery said. "I mean, you hope that, and so to see him and the way that he played for us, I was just so impressed with him, the whole package."
Pierre-Luc Dubois finds his comfort in D.C
Dubois' play during his 82 games this season was indeed impressive. He set new career highs in assists (46), points (66) and finishing 21st in the entire NHL for most 5 on 5 points, with 46.
He finished with more 5 on 5 points, in fact, than Keller (45), Point (44), W. Nylander (42), Makar (42), Rantanen (39), and Auston Matthews (38).
In addition, when Dubois was on the ice during 5 on 5 shifts, his stats were the best among Washington's forwards: 52.8% shot attempts, 54.9% expected goals, 58.9% of scoring chances and 57.2% of high-danger chances.
Dubois also had the best 5 on 5 goals for percentage, as he was on ice for 73 goals for, and only 44 goals against.
Pierre-Luc turns 27 years old in June. He is still young, yet has shown the ability to be a veteran presence.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 56 ANSWERS "The Most Fun I've Had Playing," Capitals' Dubois Says Of His First Season With The Capitals Do you believe Pierre-Luc Dubois was Washington's MVP? | ||
| Yes | 18 | 32.1 % |
| No | 38 | 67.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
