Ever since Brandon Duhaime got on all fours and barked like a dog (seriously), there’s been some magic in the air. Alex Ovechkin made history by becoming the only player in NHL history to score 900 goals. Meanwhile, Duhaime began chasing a franchise record of his own.
After going goalless in the first 14 games of the season, Duhaime has scored in three consecutive games — a career high. But it’s when the checking-line forward has scored those goals that has him on the precipice of tying a franchise mark.
November 8 at Tampa Bay
Duhaime’s first goal of the streak came against the Lightning and started the game’s scoring 4:06 into the first period. Ethen Frank, skating behind the net, found Duhaime camped out at the left post for a layup.
November 11 at Carolina
Duhaime found the back of the net again against the Hurricanes, starting the game’s scoring 5:59 into the first period. Ethen Frank again found Duhaime at the post for a layup.
November 13 at Florida
Duhaime hit paydirt once again against the Panthers, starting the game’s scoring 8:25 into the first period. Cruising through the slot, Duhaime deflected a Rasmus Sandin point shot into the net.
If the bolded phrases didn’t give it away, Duhaime has scored the game-opening goal in three consecutive contests. He’s one game-opening goal away from moving into a tie with the Capitals’ current record holder, Andre Burakovsky, who scored the first tally in four-straight games nearly a decade ago.
Burakovsky managed the feat during a six day stretch in the 2016-17 season, where he scored against Philadelphia (1/15/17), Pittsburgh (1/17/17), St. Louis (1/19/17), and Dallas (1/21/17).
Duhaime will get the chance to match Burakovsky’s record when the Capitals face the Jack Hughes-less New Jersey Devils on Saturday.