McMichael leads the NHL in goals at 5-on-5.
Connor McMichael is finally living up to his potential for the Washington Capitals — and then some.
The 23-year-old is not just leading the Capitals with 12 goals, which also puts him high in the race for the NHL's goal-scoring lead, but his 11 goals at 5-on-5 lead the league.
All the while, he's producing at over a point-per-game pace with 19 points through 16 games so far — his 16 points at 5-on-5 are the second-most in the NHL — which would have him finishing the season with a whopping 97 points if he can keep it up.
"I don't want it to stop," McMichael's center, Pierre-Luc Dubois, said of the youngster's hot streak.
Talking with McMichael, he doesn't credit too much to himself. Instead, he credits his linemates, Dubois and Tom Wilson.
"Playing with Doobie and Willy, they make it really easy for me," McMichael said earlier this month. "I mean, those guys are two of the best players at puck possession and getting the puck back. So when we have the puck, it's not hard to make plays."
But what exactly has led to McMichael finding the success that he has?
First off, it's a result of the work he's put in.
McMichael's gotten faster and stronger, and it shows in his play. He's able to win battles and races for the puck, get to the high-danger areas and find the open space. His top speed this season is 22.79 miles per hour, which ranks in the 88th percentile league-wide.
Not only that, but he's also put in the work to improve his shot and finishing, and it's paid off as he's shooting at 26.1 percent, which puts him in the 96th percentile across the NHL.
For the Capitals, though, a lot of it also comes down to his hockey IQ and the way he's thinking the game.
"He's one of the smartest players we have... You can put him in any situation," Spencer Carbery said.
Another big factor in McMichael's success has been his overall growth. He's averaging 17:11 minutes per night playing in all situations, the highest amount of ice time he's gotten in his career. And with more trust has come more responsibility and accountability.
"Mikey's been great this year. I think he's maturing a ton on the ice and just finding his game," Wilson said, adding with a smile, "Someone's got to push (Alex Ovechkin) to be the leader in the clubhouse. It's been good."
At the end of the day, though, for McMichael, a lot of that success comes down to confidence. He's finally getting the opportunity he was looking for and living up to expectations, and as he continues to produce, offense is only easier to find.
"I just feel like when I'm around the net, I have a lot more confidence of trying to beat the goalie, whereas before, I was kind of just trying to get up to the net and maybe not try and beat the goalie," McMichael said. "It's just confidence right now.
"After you see one drop, your confidence just builds and builds and another one goes in, and it just keeps on rolling," he added.
