Versatile Laich fighting to regain his touch
Long after the other members of the Washington Capitals had left
the ice Tuesday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, one player remained
— firing puck after puck toward an empty net.
Brooks Laich has one goal in his past 15 games, and he knows
it. So there he was, several minutes after his teammates had
removed their equipment in the dressing room and headed for the
showers, banking on repetition and hard work to regain his scoring
touch.
"I think I've done other things well. I think I feel like my
defensive game is as good as it's ever been. I'm happy with the way
I am skating," he said. "I just don't think I am shooting enough
and getting around the net enough to score goals."
Laich had nine goals in his first 21 games and appeared to be
barreling toward a career season. He has reached a new mark for
goals in each of the past three seasons, collecting eight, then 21,
then 23 (and a career-best 53 points) a year ago.
With 26 points in the team's first 36 games, Laich is on pace
for 59. But his recent goal-scoring slump has left him with some
work to do if he's going to approach 30, as it appeared he would
earlier this season.
He might have been onto something when he said he isn't
shooting the puck enough. Laich has put only 37 shots on net in the
past 15 games after racking up 63 in the first 21 contests.
"If you just look at his career, he's streaky," coach Bruce
Boudreau said. "There's going to come a time when he's going to get
five goals in five games. He does exactly what you want him to do.
He plays anywhere from 16, 17 to 20 minutes [a game], and he's used
in all situations. I know he's going to score, but that's not the
most paramount thing on my mind when it comes to Brooks."
One of Laich's hallmarks during his tenure with the
organization has been versatility. Not only is Laich able to play
all three forward positions and on defense, but he also has done
that in just the past six games.
Laich, who has spent most of his ice time this season at left
wing, lined up on the right side Dec. 9 at Buffalo, played the
third period on defense Dec. 15 against Colorado and moved to the
middle Saturday at Edmonton.
"I am a natural center. I've said that all along, but I've
played wing for most of the past two years," Laich said. "My first
game back at center in Edmonton, I felt very comfortable. I think
you handle the puck more, and as a centerman you are more involved
in the play. Hopefully, I can create more chances for myself and my
linemates."
Boudreau said the move was due in part to his desire to
promote Tomas Fleischmann to the second line. At center on the
third line, the Caps have used a rotating cast of characters from
Hershey of the American Hockey League, but with other players
getting healthy, there is a roster crunch.
This could mean an extended look at center for Laich.
"I think he's a good centerman," said Eric Fehr, his linemate
in Edmonton and likely again Wednesday against Buffalo at Verizon
Center. "He likes to play down low — even when he's on the
wing, he tries to get down low in the defensive zone. He played
well down there, and he is great at getting up ice. I thought he
was strong."
The only place left for Laich to try something new is between
the pipes. He has joked about being ready to do just that before,
and if any skater on this team is going to throw the big pads on in
a pinch, he would be a solid bet.
"We've got three goalies around here," Laich said, "so I
don't think something will happen to all of them."
