Lars Eller plays least of any Capitals player in Game 2 victory: '[He] has been solid. Last night was a little bit tough.'
Briefly

Lars Eller, known for scoring the Capitals' Stanley Cup-winning goal, has faced a reduced role in recent playoffs, logging just 9:06 of ice time in a critical Game 2 victory over the Hurricanes. Head Coach Spencer Carbery clarified this decrease was due to isolated gameplay circumstances rather than a negative assessment of Eller’s capabilities. Statistical performance metrics show a notable drop in shot and scoring attempt metrics for Eller during these playoffs, contrasting with his earlier strong performance in the first round. This shift in player usage reflects Carbery’s strategic adjustments in close games.
Eller skated just 9:06 time on ice in the victory, his lowest playoff total, while coach Carbery explained it was an isolated incident, not a critique.
With the 36-year-old on the ice, the Caps saw just 41% of shot attempts, 44.7% expected goals, and 39.3% high-danger chances during these playoffs.
Carbery made his first major lineup change, scratching rookie forward Ryan Leonard for veteran Taylor Raddysh, keeping the overall lineup relatively unchanged.
Despite the Capitals’ improved performance, Eller’s role has diminished in these playoffs, reflecting a shift in strategy during crucial one-goal game moments.
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