Marcus Johansson quietly playing key role in Caps’ success originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
For the second game in a row, the Capitals won on an overtime goal. For the second game in a row, Marcus Johansson had a hand on the winning tally.
Johansson scored the game-winner in extra time Thursday to clinch the Capitals’ 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators, three days after recording the primary assist on Dmitry Orlov’s overtime goal that ensured they would beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. Though those points came in loud fashion, the 32-year-old winger has quietly established himself as a key member of the Capitals’ lineup.
Washington reacquired Johansson, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Capitals, with a trade deadline deal last season. He contributed only six points in 18 games — though he did add two more in their first-round playoff series — which made the Capitals’ decision to bring him back on a one-year, $1.1 million a curious move.
But the Capitals had a plan for him, particularly on the power play. Johansson has proven to be a valuable scorer on special teams for a Capitals team that has been missing players up and down the lineup due to injury. Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov have all played big minutes on the power play the last few years and all have missed chunks of time in 2022-23.
Johansson has suited up for every game this season and of his 16 points, eight have come with the man advantage. He’s bounced back and forth between the top two units depending on who’s been available, playing multiple positions and working alongside a rotating list of players.
Though he’s suddenly started coming up clutch in overtime — Thursday’s tally was just the fifth goal he’s ever scored in extra time — he does have four game-winning goals on the season, underscoring his impact on the surging Capitals. Only signed to a one-year deal, Johansson has been exactly what the Capitals hoped he would be in Washington.
