ARLINGTON, V.A. — For the Washington Capitals, Pierre-Luc Dubois isn't just a second-line center who can make plays. He's much more than that, and the plan is to capitalize on his skill set.
Head coach Spencer Carbery said that the plan is for Dubois and his line with Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson to get into a rhythm of matching up with other teams' top units, just as the powerhouse fourth line of Brandon Duhaime, Nic Dowd and Taylor Raddysh does.
For Carbery, it gives the team "flexibility" with its lineups, and it's also a role that he believes Dubois will thrive in.
"Dubois, he's a really good player at playing against some top players in the league and has a little bit more offensive mind to that. So what that means is when you get Eichels and McDavids and '(other stars), sometimes turning those lines and making them have to defend, you can put them in some tough spots and try to create some chances and try to score offensively," Carbery explained.
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The 6-foot-4 center and his second line played in that spot on Tuesday, going up against the likes of Jack Eichel's top trio on multiple occasions.
Carbery emphasized that it's nothing against the fourth line, but it's also another way to further provide offense.
"Not that Dowder's line couldn't (score), but when we deploy Dowder against Roope Hintz, it's generally — Dowder is as good as anybody in the NHL at this — he's like, 'I'm not going to let this line score,' which is what makes him so elite. Can we take that one step further now and potentially try to put some players on the opposition that are thinking offense-first, and offensive-minded players?"
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Dubois is excited for the opportunity and challenge as he continues to get acquainted with his new team, as it gives him confidence and more responsibility as he takes on bigger minutes.
"I think that's Dubois' (M.O.), and he loves playing against top players. He has done it before, so I think trying to get him in those assignments along with Willy and Mikey right now is a positive."
The Capitals play host to the Dallas Stars on Thursday, and the plan will again be for Dubois to match up against those top-line threats.
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