The Capitals forward goes 1-on-1 about his wild journey back to D.C. and much more.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — "Toothpick!" Matthew Phillips heard his nickname ring through the tunnel at Capital One Arena as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals welcomed him back to D.C. on Friday.
Though he's been back and forth between states this season, one constant that's remained for Phillips is that nickname, which comes with quite the backstory for the 5-foot-8, 160-pound forward.
"That's Ovi," Phillips said of the moniker. "He pretty much thinks I'm built like a toothpick. So that caught on pretty quick, and there's no getting rid of that one."
Phillips said that the nickname's stuck over his 28-game tenure in D.C., and he was happy to hear it amid a wild road back to the District that started on March 5.
On that Tuesday, Matthew Phillips was all packed up in Pennsylvania as he opened his phone and scrolled through the social media app "X," refreshing eagerly to see his next move after going on waivers. That's when he saw the news: he'd be headed back to the Washington Capitals organization.
It was another turn on an ever-winding road for Phillips, who'd been waived and claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins just a few weeks before. Now, he was headed to Hershey, and he got moving as social media directed him on where to go next.
"It's kind of a funny time. You just kind of sit around for a day and wait... it's a bit of a stressful time," Phillips told The Hockey News. "I wasn't too surprised by it. I was very happy by the news, and they obviously liked me enough to want me back here. I'm very happy to be back.
"Both times, it's just sit around, and then two o'clock hits, and Twitter seems to release it quicker than anyone can get a hold of me," he added with a laugh.
The last month and change has been "hectic" for the 26-year-old, who has pretty much been living out of his suitcase amid ongoing moves and transactions.
"I try to make life as easy as I can on myself. Having to pack up my life a few times in the last couple of weeks and drive to new ctrities and stuff isn't great, but it could be worse at the same time," Phillips said. "It's something that you kind of just have to remain even-keeled and kind of stay calm and take it day by day."
While it's been stressful at times, it's been a fulfilling journey in his rookie NHL season.
"It's pretty cool to be a part of (a different) organization for a little bit and see how they operate and learn from world-class players." he said matter-of-factly.
After being picked back up by D.C., Phillips was sent to the AHL's Hershey Bears, where he had a goal and two assists in four games. He'd be back on the road soon, though, as a six-game suspension for Tom Wilson led to him returning to the Capitals.
"The reason we go with Phillips at this junction of the year and the magnitude of these next few games to be able to stay in the fight, we prioritize someone that has been a part of the group, knows the system inside and out and can make it as seamless as possible," Spencer Carbery said of recalling No. 45.
At the end of the day, Phillips is happy to be back up with Washington as the playoff push continues, and with 13 games left on the regular season circuit and injuries mounting, he hopes he can play a key role.
"Any time you're in the NHL, it's awesome and something I want to take advantage of. I'm obviously comfortable here and I know the group and all that really well," Phillips said. "It's been a bit of an up and down year for me, but to get some games in now and a little bit of momentum is good."