The Washington Capitals fell behind to the New York Islanders 1-0, but just like in the Carolina Hurricanes game, they scored four unanswered goals.
The player to start Monday’s comeback was defenseman Martin Fehervary, who had some extra jump at puck drop and for good reason.
Fehervary missed the Capitals’ 4-3 overtime victory over the Hurricanes on Friday after becoming a dad for the first time. His girlfriend, Natalia Levius, gave birth to a baby girl shortly after the first period of that night’s game. The couple named her Anna.
Fehervary scored 5:29 into the second period, sending a snap shot past Islanders goaltender David Rittich. The goal, his fourth of the season, tied the game 1-1.
John Carlson picked up the sentimental goal puck, which the team presented to Fehervary after the game. “First goal as a dad!” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery roared in the locker room as Capitals players cheered.
The Slovakian rearguard called the moment “really special” to reporters after the game.
“I would like to give [the goal puck] to her,” Fehervary said. “And, obviously, my girlfriend, Natalia, she’s done a really amazing job. So I feel really amazing, you know, score one right after I miss the game because of my daughter.”
Fehervary said that after playing in the game and scoring a goal, he’s now a believer in Dad Strength.
“Some of the guys called it even before,” Fehervary revealed. “They said, ‘There’s something in dad’s power.’ You know, like they scored a couple (goals) right after (too). So I guess it is somewhere.”