Sourdif first got on the board 11:12 into the second period, giving the Capitals a 3-1 lead over the Rangers. Set up in the crease, Sourdif dug out a deflected pass from Alex Ovechkin, which hit off Will Borgen’s shin pads, and backhanded the puck past Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick from six feet away.
“I know [Ovi] throws a lot of pucks to the net, and, you know, that’s how you score goals,” Sourdif said. “Whether it goes off a couple skates and then it ends up right on your stick, I just go to the net when he has a puck on his stick, and good things will happen.”
The power-play goal was the first of Sourdif’s career in the NHL and his first goal in general since November 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The power-play goal also marked his first career power-play point in the NHL.
Justin Sourdif’s empty-net goal
Sourdif added his second with 49 seconds remaining in the game, notching his first career multi-goal game in the NHL. After gathering an Aliaksei Protas dump along the end boards, Tom Wilson, who already had two goals in the game, opted to pass to his younger teammate instead of going for his second career hat trick. From 17 feet away, Sourdif sent a snap shot into the net, further icing the game for the Capitals.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Sourdif said. “Two goals gives you a lot of confidence, obviously, especially when you haven’t scored in a while, and I just look to help the team any way I can.”
In summary, Justin Sourdif’s NHL firsts in the game included his:
- First career power-play goal
- First career power-play point
- First career empty-net goal
- First career multi-goal game
With Sourdif on the ice at five-on-five in the win, the Capitals controlled 65.7 percent of shot attempts, 51.6 percent of expected goals, 65 percent of scoring chances, and 54.6 percent of high-danger chances. Overall, the rookie forward’s personal stat line included two goals, two shots, four shot attempts, four individual scoring chances, three individual high-danger chances, three hits, and one shot block.
“We’ll roll into Ottawa [on Thursday] and try and kick off the New Year’s the right way,” Sourdif concluded.
