Matt Roy had an eventful game against his former team, the Los Angeles Kings.
The Washington Capitals defenseman scored his first goal of the season after temporarily switching roles with Aliaksei Protas.
Roy, set up in front of the net like a power forward, deflected a Protas point shot past former Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The tally gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings 3:41 into the first period.
“That was kinda nice,” Roy said. “We talked about getting more bodies to the net. I was just down in the play kind of hunting. Pro was covering for me, and it just worked out that way. It was a good heads-up play by him.”
Two minutes and 38 seconds later, Roy felt the opposite of joy while he was camped out in front of the other net. A Joel Armia shot struck him in the left side of the face, sending him off the ice, bent over and bleeding from what appeared to be the nose.
Roy would return shortly after and complete the game — he is a hockey player after all. By evening’s end, Roy received 22:46 of ice time, fired four shot attempts at the net, and earned a plus/minus of plus-two. The Capitals held positive differentials at five-on-five in shot attempts (+14), scoring chances (+9), and high-danger chances (+6) with the rearguard on the ice. Both Capitals’ goals, including Alex Ovechkin’s 903rd career tally, were scored with Roy present.
In the locker room after the Capitals’ 2-1 win, Roy showed off his injury to reporters: a massively swollen lip along with bruising on his cheek and nose.
“I hope I don’t look too bad,” Roy said, smirking. “I hope you can’t notice.”
Though, with Roy’s demeanor, it was hard to tell. The Capitals, after losing 8 of their last 10 games, got back in the win column, and Roy’s first tally since March 27 likely blunted any physical pain he was feeling.
“I think I speak for everyone,” he said. “It’s always nice to get one against your former team.”