CRAIG SMITH NEWS

Finds twine in blowout win Smith scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Impact This was Smith's second goal over the last four games. Prior to that stretch, he went 16 contests without a point. The 34-year-old winger has remained firmly in a fourth-line role this season, though he is at risk of the occasional scratch when the Stars' forward group is fully healthy, as it is heading into January. Smith has just five points with 54 shots on net, 19 hits, 21 PIM and a plus-3 rating over 32 outings this season.

JANUARY 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies late equalizer Smith scored a goal on two shots, went plus-2 and blocked two shots in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Predators.

Impact Smith scored at 19:45 of the third period, tying the game at 2-2, which allowed Jani Hakanpaa to score the winner 11 seconds later. Smith had gone 16 games without a point, missing two contests due to an illness and one as a healthy scratch in that span. The 34-year-old has been confined to fourth-line duties, posting just four points, 47 shots on net, 17 PIM, 19 hits, 13 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 29 appearances in his first year with Dallas.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Craig Smith and Jani Hakanpaa rally Dallas Stars over Nashville Predators 3-2

Craig Smith and Jani Hakanpaa scored in the final 15 seconds, rallying the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • Associated Press

Available to return Smith (illness) will be available for Tuesday's contest against Winnipeg, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.

Impact Smith was back on the ice for Monday's practice after sitting out the past two games due to an illness. He has generated two goals, one assist and 28 shots on net over 17 games this campaign. If he plays against the Jets, Ty Dellandrea or Sam Steel could be scratched.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Friday Smith (illness) participated in Friday's morning skate but won't play versus the Flames, Stars radio host Owen Newkirk reports.

Impact Smith will miss his second straight game, but his presence at practice is a positive sign. The Stars don't play again until Tuesday versus the Jets, so Smith should have a good chance to be ready by then. One of Ty Dellandrea or Sam Steel will likely exit the lineup once Smith returns.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Smith (illness) won't play versus the Golden Knights on Wednesday.

Impact Smith will miss his first game of the season due to the illness. He's mired in a five-game point drought. Ty Dellandrea will take Smith's place in the lineup Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies in Thursday's win Smith scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Smith ended his six-game point drought with the goal. The 34-year-old has primarily played in a fourth-line role with virtually no power-play time this season, though he's yet to be a healthy scratch. Smith is up to three points, 19 shots on net, eight hits, eight PIM and a plus-2 rating through 12 contests.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Garners first helper Smith logged an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Penguins.

Impact The helper was Smith's first of the season, and he's added one goal through five games. The 34-year-old is in a fourth-line role, but so far he's been able to fend off challenges from Ty Dellandrea and Sam Steel, who have been healthy scratches at times. Smith has added five shots on goal, five hits, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while averaging 10:32 of ice time per game.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring in second period Smith scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and blocked two shots in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Golden Knights.

Impact Smith had just one blocked shot in the season opener versus the Blues, but he was more productive in the second game of the year. The 34-year-old logged a team-low 10:10 of ice time Tuesday, and it appears he'll be firmly in a fourth-line role throughout the campaign. He's also playing on his off side at left wing, which could limit his effectiveness. Smith had 16 points in 64 outings between Boston and Washington last season.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joining Dallas Smith signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Stars on Saturday.

Impact The 33-year-old Smith posted 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 64 games last year between the Bruins and the Capitals. Smith will likely occupy a middle-six role for the Stars in 2023.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs two points in win Smith tallied a goal and an assist in Monday's 5-2 win over the Islanders.

Impact Smith set up Rasmus Sandin's tally 1:03 into the first period before scoring a goal later in the frame, ripping a loose puck past Ilya Sorokin from the slot. The 33-year-old Smith had just one point in his last 15 contests before Monday's two-point effort. He's tallied four goals and five points through 20 games with the Capitals and 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 61 games between Washington and Boston this season.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pat Maroon scores twice in 3rd, Lightning beat Capitals 5-1

Pat Maroon scored twice in the third period, Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the slumping Washington Capitals 5-1 on Thursday night

MARCH 31, 2023 • Associated Press

Scores lone goal Smith scored a goal on four shots in the Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday.

Impact Smith shot a puck off Andrei Vasilevskiy to cut the Lightning's lead to 2-1. That would be the closest the Capitals would get to tying the game, however, as they coughed up three goals in the third to drop a 5-1 contest. This goal snaps an 11-game point drought for the former Bruin as he looks to get back on track offensively. On the season, Smith has seven goals and 13 points in 58 games.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to play Wednesday Smith (lower body) is expected to play Wednesday versus the Islanders, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Smith has six goals and 12 points in 56 appearances this season. He left Monday's game due to the injury, but he didn't end up missing a full contest. Smith is projected to play alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.

MARCH 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lower-body injury Smith left Monday's practice early because of a lower-body injury, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Impact Smith also didn't play in the third period Saturday in Washington's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh. His availability of Wednesday's contest against the Islanders hasn't been determined yet. Smith has registered two goals, 25 shots on net, eight blocks and eight hits in 14 outings with the Capitals since being acquired from Boston.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pots two goals Smith registered two goals and a plus-3 rating during Saturday's 8-3 win over the Sharks.

Impact Smith now has his first points since his arrival with the Capitals as part of the trade that sent Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway to the Bruins. The 33-year-old pending unrestricted free agent has six goals and 12 points in 44 games between the Bruins and Capitals this season.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Ovechkin scores twice in Capitals' 8-3 win over Sharks

Alex Ovechkin scored twice in the third period to give him 815 career goals and the Washington Capitals shook off a rough start to beat the San Jose Sharks 8-3

MARCH 5, 2023 • Associated Press

Ahead of the NHL trade deadline, new Caps adjust to a new reality For Craig Smith and Rasmus Sandin, being traded for the first time in the NHL has been an emotionally draining process filled with logistica...

MARCH 2, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

'I want to prove myself': Newly acquired Craig Smith is focused on finding a role with Capitals Smith is taking it “day-by-day” after being traded to Washington last week in a deal that sent Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway to Boston.

MARCH 1, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Capitals debut Saturday Smith will make his Washington debut Saturday versus the Rangers, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith was part of the deal that sent Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway to Boston. Smith had only four goals and 10 points in 42 games with the Bruins this season and should see a bottom-six role with the Capitals.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE