WASHINGTON — It's only three games in, but so far for the Washington Capitals, Pierre-Luc Dubois is paying off in a big way.
The 26-year-old was the first big acquisition of a busy offseason for Washington, coming in from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Darcy Kuemper. The Capitals hoped that he would fit in well and embrace a role on the top-6 with Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov out of the picture, while also wanting him to spark the power play.
So far, he's delivered, thriving in that role as the second-line center with Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson.
"They've been rock solid," head coach Spencer Carbery said of Dubois and his line. "Three really intelligent players."
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Through three games, Dubois has two assists and is averaging 17:20 minutes a night, and his relative Corsi of 14.3 is impressive to kick off the year.
However, it's his play, not just his stats, that has stood out. Dubois is taking good care of the puck, able to carry it up ice and start entries and making smart plays with the puck to set up his teammates.
"He's a machine. So far, he's led the way for this team," Tom Wilson, who has three goals in three games, said, adding, "When he gets the puck, he can hold a guy on his back."
The 6-foot-4 center is able to control the play with ease, and has the talent and ability to make plays on the fly and generate chances. He's also taking on a taller task in D.C., as he's been called upon to go up against opponents' top lines and stars.
"I (like) his strength on the puck," Carbery said.
That strength was evident in Thursday's statement 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars. Not only did Dubois get a primary assist, but he stacked up well against the Stars' top trio of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston — and two nights before, Jack Eichel's trio — all while threading the needle, making great passes and getting the puck up ice for quality scoring chances.
"I thought he was excellent," Carbery said, adding, "He did a few really good things that he almost had a couple of goals at the net front."
Related: What's Behind Tom Wilson's Hot Streak To Start The Season: 'He's Leading The Way Right Now'
"I love playing with him... He had about 10 pucks where he needed to get the red line, or he needed to make a good play, and he just did," Wilson said. "That's what you need out of your team down the stretch in big games. He's playing really well for us. It's great to have him."
Dubois' impressive start is also the result of hard work, which he's put in from the moment he arrived in the Nation's Capital up until now.
For Dubois, he's feeling more and more comfortable with his new team and is enjoying the start of his tenure, and now, it's just about continuing to develop that synergy on and off the ice.
"The guys here have been unbelievable, making me feel at home, making me feel like part of the group," Dubois said, adding, "On the ice, it's just (about) creating new chemistry... (it's a) really exciting thing."
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