The Capitals are getting the best version of Pierre-Luc Dubois yet.
The Washington Capitals made a big gamble this summer, acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings and choosing to overlook his struggles in L.A., critics and outside noise to fill a crucial need on their top-6. So far, it's paid off — and then some.
Over the course of his still-budding career, Dubois has heard everything, and he's been every version of himself. He's had high highs, low lows and a target on his back from time to time. But since arriving in D.C., he's bought in and is playing his best hockey — and the team is loving it.
"You can't say enough good things about that guy," goaltender Charlie Lindgren said of Dubois. "He's come in and he's played some really good hockey for us."
Through 24 games this season, Dubois has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, but it's not his contributions on the scoresheet that's making him stand out; it's everything else.
On the ice, he's a force to be reckoned with. The 26-year-old is moving the puck efficiently and playing well at both ends, getting physical and gritty when he has to and making smart plays to generate chances.
His main priority, though, is to take good care of the puck, and he's been deployed more times than not against other teams' top lines while being trusted in critical game situations.
"Everybody loves to score, but everybody loves to win and play well even better." Dubois pointed out.
Take his hustle in the final seconds of Washington's 6-5 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, where he outraced Jack Hughes to wash out an icing and help secure a huge two points to move D.C. to the top of the East. All the while, he had the game-winning goal.
At 5-on-5, Dubois ranks second among all Washington forwards in shots for percentage (55.84) and has one of the highest Fenwick scores on the team (53.63), and he averages the second-most ice time among forwards to boot.
At all strengths, he leads the Capitals in high danger Corsi for percentage (64.94). Most of his starts are in the neutral or defensive zone, showing just how much trust he's getting from the coaching staff.
"He's a machine," linemate Tom Wilson put it simply.
It's not just the analytics; the eye test also speaks volumes when it comes to Dubois' impact. He's a quick, smooth skater and has good hands and a high hockey IQ that he doesn't mind putting on display.
And, since joining D.C., there's been an undeniable effort, a higher gear he's been able to reach, while he's also getting involved physically and battling hard on the forecheck.
"I love his game, I love his grit," Lindgren said. "We got guys that want to win hockey games."
Off the ice, Dubois is a beloved member of the locker room and has gained a lot of respect already. The first thing that so many of his teammates cite right away is how good of a person he is.
"He's a great guy off the ice," Wilson said.
"He's a really great guy and he's a really great player," Matt Roy, who played with Dubois in L.A., added. "Just off the ice and in the locker room, he's a great guy and a great teammate."
As Dubois continues to establish himself in the District he's looking forward to unlocking even more of his potential and continuing to contribute however he can. He's on pace for 55 points right now, but beyond that, Washington just wants him to keep doing what he's doing.
And for Dubois, that means being a team player.
"There's going to be ups and downs," Dubois pointed out. "Everybody wants to play a full 60 minutes... We're not surprising anybody anymore. Still a lot of hockey, but we're playing well and we can keep going."
