Heading into Friday?s contest at the Florida Panthers, Grabovski is skating on the second line, ranked third on the team in points (26), tied for second in goals (9) and has become a force for solid even-strength play in the Capitals? lineup. He leads the team with a plus-6 rating, but more impressive is that Washington has scored 55 percent of its 60 even-strength goals with Grabovski on the ice.
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Grabovski was helping gain possession in the corner or along the walls, and just as quickly push the line up ice and help drive a cycle attack. While he was on the third line, the trio combined for 13 even-strength goals, and Grabovski was able to see what Oates was aiming for.
?He just try help. He just look forward and he thinks about when I can play better offensively, that I can do that if I play defensively better,? said Grabovski, who has appreciated Oates?s confidence in using him in both offensive and defensive situations.
Last year, as he fell out of favor in Toronto and recorded only 16 points, Grabovski received only 22.6 percent of his starts at even strength in the offensive zone. With the Capitals, he?s seeing 33 percent of his starts in the offensive end.
When he moved to the second line between Troy Brouwer and Eric Fehr on Nov. 23, Grabovski showed immediate signs of chemistry with those wingers as well. They?ve combined for five even-strength goals, including Grabovski?s penalty shot tally, in eight games. Now two new teammates are uttering the best compliment they can bestow on Grabovski ? he?s easy to play with.
?He reads the play well, he anticipates really well,? Brouwer said. ?He?s that skilled player who?s willing to chip the puck go in the corners and battle to get it back. Along with his skill-set, that makes him a good player. You can see when he gets an opportunity, like on our team this year, he?s producing at a good rate.?
