The Capitals top line has combined for a total of 43 points.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Following the Washington Capitals' third game of the season, Alex Ovechkin called Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas into the team's theatre, wanting to go over film and see how they could elevate their game and get more chances.
Since then, they can't stop scoring.
"O took us in... just said we need to be a bit more predictable and need to find each other a little bit easier," Strome said.
In 11 games so far this season, the Ovechkin-Strome-Protas trio has combined for 10 goals for and just three goals against at 5-on-5, while racking up a total of 43 points.
There's a lot that's factored into the success of that top trio, but Strome pointed out that the film session served as the catalyst that the group needed to kick things into higher gear.
"He's got 1,600 points or something like that in his career, so I think any time when he speaks up about where we need to be offensively and how we can be better, obviously we're going to listen," Strome said of Ovechkin.
Ovechkin has five goals in his last four games as he gets closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record. He's come a long way since a slow start last season, and since the second half of last year, has been keeping a steady scoring pace.
The 39-year-old isn't taking individual credit for his increase in scoring, though, instead crediting it to the performance of Strome and Protas.
“I think the whole line play well. We’re connecting, playing for each other, and that’s the most important thing," Ovechkin said, adding, "We just enjoy (the time together)."
Strome has been a great set-up man for Ovechkin this season, helping fill the void and serving as the top-line center the team wanted him to be. The 27-year-old said that it all just comes down to instinct when it comes to playing with the Great 8.
"Get him the puck. I think that's the best way to describe it. Obviously it's going well for him. You've got to find a way to get him the puck when he's open," Strome said. "We have lots of chances in the game, whether it's off faceoffs or in the 'O' zone or on the power play. He's making great plays, too.
"... When a guy's hot, you want to get him the puck, so my tendency definitely is to pass first," Strome said, also adding, "Just got to play with your instincts. If your instincts are the guy that has 860 goals is open, you're probably going to want to pass the puck to him."
While Ovechkin and Strome have been a dynamic duo since reuniting at the start of this season, it's also important to acknowledge how Protas has factored in. The 6-foot-6 forward has been a force this season, generating speed and utilizing his frame and strength to open up space for his linemates while making quick plays.
"Pro has done a really good job of just kind of sticking to his game and just working hard in the corners, getting the pucks back for us," Strome said. "He's using his speed. He's unbelievably fast and been able to create a lot of open ice for myself and O."
"You can see when ‘Pro’ is on the line, he’s big, he’s strong, he can move the puck, he skates and when he’s on his game, it’s always fun to play," Ovechkin added.
For Protas, his hot start has come from improvement to his overall game and a shift in mentality that comes with playing heavier minutes.
"Just work hard every shift and make plays, be hard on the forecheck, just be great defensively and that's what I try to focus on, all those little things, work without the puck for sure and all those little details," Protas said. "For sure it's privilege to be on the top line. I want to take the most out of it."
Going forward, that unit hopes to continue finding that consistency and contributing in any way it can.
"It's been nice to see a few go in... his line has been a productive line all year long... the film looks good, you're getting into good spots, you're spending more time in the offensive zone, your line is productive, you're generating 10 scoring chances and only giving up four," head coach Spencer Carbery said.
"Everybody knows what we have to do," Ovechkin put it simply.