Connor McMichael scored his first goal since December 11 and ended a 13-game goalless drought in the Washington Capitals\u2019 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.<\/p>\n
McMichael lit the lamp in the Capitals\u2019 three-goal first period, converting on a breakaway after being sprung by rookie Ryan Leonard.<\/p>\n
McMichael beat Blackhawks goaltender Drew Commesso five-hole, sliding the puck into the net on his forehand before even making a move. The tally gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead with 4:53 remaining in the opening stanza.<\/p>\n
The goal came in the opening game of the Capitals\u2019 2026 Mentors\u2019 Trip, which annually brings together the players\u2019 fathers, brothers, and in-laws to bond with the team.<\/p>\n
McMichael\u2019s dad, Murray, was in attendance to cheer his son on at United Center and was proud of his Connor\u2019s goal \u2014 though he admitted he almost missed it in a \u201cMcStory\u201d he shared with the Capitals<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it was amazing that he scored last night,\u201d Murray said, beginning to recount the moment. \u201cThe funny story was I was actually out of the box when that was happening, and I ran into another box, which was a Chicago box, and they\u2019re like, \u2018What are you doing in here?\u2019 I said, \u2018That\u2019s my son. He\u2019s about to score.\u2019 And sure enough, he scored. So, they actually cheered for me. They told me to get out after.\u201d<\/p>\n After the game, McMichael gave props to the mentors, believing their presence had lifted the team.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could just tell the vibes were up; everyone was having fun, enjoying their time,\u201d McMichael said. \u201cI think we carried that into [today\u2019s game], and a lot of credit goes to the dads and the mentors.\u201d<\/p>\n McMichael\u2019s two-point game (1g, 1a) gave him eight points (1g, 7a) in his last six appearances.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t