The Washington Capitals have enjoyed a strong start to their Stanley Cup Playoffs run and hold a 2-0 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens, and a lot of credit should go to an X-factor emerging on the top line in Anthony Beauvillier.
Beauvillier, who was brought in at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline to add more scoring depth, has been a force to open the postseason for D.C., fitting in seamlessly on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.
Through the first two games of the series, he has a goal and two assists, including the primary helper on Ovechkin's Game 1 overtime winner.
"Sometimes guys just rise to the occasion, and I feel like he's a guy that does that," Strome said of Beauvillier, adding, "We're happy to have him."
At 5-on-5, Beauvillier leads Washington with eight shots at 5-on-5, which are also tied for the fourth-most league-wide this postseason. He also leads all forwards in scoring-chances for (21) and ranks second in shots-for percentage (60.71) at 5-on-5.
"He's very smart. He's played in big games before," Strome said. "He's proven that he's a big game player. He just works hard."
His seven hits also rank third-most on the team to open the series as he establishes himself physically and makes himself known when he's on the ice.
"I mean, it's playoffs, right?" Beauvillier said. "Everyone's got to be physical."
For Ovechkin, Beauvillier's been the perfect complementing winger, and agreed with Strome's sentiment that a lot of the chemistry has stemmed from the 27-year-old's work ethic on that trio.
“I think he’s a hard-working guy. Obviously, he has skill," Ovechkin said. "It’s clicking and it’s a good thing. We have a couple injuries, but he’s a big piece right now for us and we’re happy to have him in our line.”
That line has combined for three even-strength goals so far, and Strome also noted that his play on the other side of the puck against the Canadiens has made a positive impact on their performance, too.
"He's smart, he knows how to score, he doesn't give up offense for defense, which helps O and I a lot. He's reliable," Strome said.
With Aliaksei Protas continuing to work his way back from injury, the team is looking to Beauvillier to continue filling that void on the top-6. He'll get another chance to show what he can do in Game 3 on Friday at Bell Centre in his home province.