Garnet Hathaway Says Capitals Are “Getting Better At Knowing When To Attack As A Group Rather Than Individually” On The Penalty Kill

Photo: Rich Graessle/Getty

Washington Capitals right wing Garnet Hathaway spoke to the media following the team’s 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center Monday night. He picked up his first points of the 2022-23 season and discussed the success the Capitals had over the Devils.

Hathway recorded the secondary assist on center Nic Dowd‘s goal and later scored a goal himself in the second period.

Assist ☑️
Goal ☑️

Hathin’ a night! pic.twitter.com/ynsf8gg0bd

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 25, 2022

The 30-year-old totaled four hits throughout the contest and was deemed the Capitals’ first star of the game. Additionally, Hathaway registered his 16th career multi-point game and his 10th as a Capital.

Washington’s fourth line has amassed six goals in seven games and they are hoping to carry success from last season into this one. “We’re still letting up too many goals against,” Hathaway said. “I think that’s one thing we’re gonna focus on. It’s nice to contribute, but I think we need to clean up in our own zone and then we’ll keep getting our chances, but once we lock up our own zone, I think we’ll be more effective.”

“Man, he’s fast,” he said about left-wing Beck Malenstyn, who made his season debut and recorded his first career assist in the Capitals’ win. He noted that Malenstyn’s energy and “great wall plays” helped the team. “It’s tough. We got a lot of d-zone draws…he held a lot of battles right inside the blue line and I think he did really well with them.”

Hathway praised goaltender Charlie Lindgren‘s performance, calling it “unbelievable.” “It could’ve been a lot closer,” he said, adding, “It could’ve swung the other way if he didn’t play as well as he did.”

It was a solid night for the Capitals’ special teams—captain Alex Ovechkin scoring on a power-play opportunity and left-wing Conor Sheary notching a shorthanded goal. Hathaway noted success on the man advantage “got us the momentum” while the penalty kill units are undergoing “some new things” and fine-tuning partners. “We’re working with a new system…I think we’re getting better at knowing when to attack as a group rather than individually and that’ll create turnovers and get us out of our zone quicker.”

The Capitals continue their four-game road trip next with a stop in Dallas, Texas, clashing with the Stars at American Airlines Center. NBC Sports Washington will have the coverage at 8:30 PM ET.

By Della Young