NHL INSIDER
Learning curve for Caps players
Corey Masisak - NHL.com Senior WriterThe focus for the Capitals, regardless of the opponent, remains squarely on themselves this week -- trying to learn the system of their new coach and adapt to his philosophy. READ MORE ›
"I mean, it wasn't the nicest point in history, but I'll take it for sure," Despres said. "I just tried to keep it simple. It was fun. It was a great experience. I had a lot of fun and I'm really happy we won."
Pittsburgh is without top defensemen Kris Letang and Zybnek Michalek, so Despres was recalled from Wilkes Barre-Scranton and ended up facing Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in his first NHL contest. The game featured more than 60 hits, and was played at the typically furious pace these two clubs tend to reach when they square off.
"Oh yeah, definitely," Despres said when asked if he enjoyed the rivalry. "It was the crowd being really into it, an awesome atmosphere. It really pumped me up for the game."
Ovechkin finished the game with only one shot on net, and the Capitals had just 17 -- including two in the final period. Despres and fellow rookie defenseman Robert Bortuzzo combined for four hits and a plus-3 rating.
"I didn't get a final count on his minutes, but I thought he looked confident, looked good, made some plays," coach Dan Bylsma said of Despres. "I thought it gave him a lot of confidence as the game went on and he was playing against some good players in tough situations. I thought he looked strong and aggressive. We needed those guys to play against good players and they did."
Added Penguins forward Matt Cooke: "That's a strength of our organization -- from top to bottom we try to play the same system, both in [Wilkes Barre-Scranton] and here. They've done the due diligence to make sure we have players who can come up and fill in."
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.