Don’t worry for the Capitals third line now that Andre Burakovsky is injured. In his 21st game in the league, rookie Zach Sanford filled in for Burakovsky and scored his first big-league goal.
It was a game-winner, and it secured for his team a record for the hottest home streak.
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Zach Sanford's first NHL Goal was a HUGE one. #Caps win 6-4. #CapsDucks #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/LicjX3RUTg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2017
It was a blur. Sanford set the play through neutral, sending linemate Brett Connolly into the offensive zone with speed. Connolly went wide, stopped short, then returned the puck. Sanford released a quick shot from the slot. John Gibson got a piece of it, but Sanford’s shot still found the back of the net for the very first time.
The goal reversed a Caps collapse. The Ducks had erased a three-goal lead, including two goals on three shots in the third period. Washington’s win streak was on the line when Sanford’s third line burst into the offensive zone.
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CSN’s Al Koken spoke with Sanford after the game.
“We were just trying to grind it out there,” Sanford said. “We let them get back in it which we didn’t want to do. A nice play by [Connolly] on that. Luckily it trickled through and went in.”
With Burakovsky likely out until the end of March, Sanford should have plenty more opportunities to score blistering goals and then speak about them in stiflingly boring ways.
.@zachsanford21's first @nhl goal couldn't have come at a better time. #CapsDucks #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/T4mtsPPYzK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2017
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Headline photo: @Capitals
