Observations from the Capitals' fourth preseason game, a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets

"David Gucciardi got on the board first, lifting a wrister through traffic from the blueline. Andrew Cristall doubled the team's lead with another power-play tally, sifting a puck through Jet Greaves. Boone Jenner banked a power-play goal off Thompson to get Columbus back in the game. Ilya Protas put the Capitals back up two, but Zach Werenski notched a quick response goal just 46 seconds later."

"David Gucciardi, a Capitals seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has really shot up the team's prospect rankings over the past year. Although they're crediting his goal to Connor McMichael, I'm personally keeping it with him because I don't see McMichael touch that puck. The 22-year-old blueliner has good size and moves his feet really well. I don't think many would have predicted his recent rise, and he looks slated, at this point, to one day play NHL games. Great example for late draft picks."

"Who else would make their preseason debut and immediately record a Gordie Howe hat trick other than Tom Wilson? Willy looked great in his first outing this fall, recording the primary assist on Gucciardi's goal, poking home his own marker in the second frame, and then standing up for Ivan Miroshnichenko with Erik Gudbranson, a very tough customer in his own right. Epitome of the future captain on display before the games even count."

The Capitals played their final preseason road game against the Blue Jackets, with Columbus likely using its Opening Night lineup. Scoring swung multiple times: David Gucciardi opened the scoring, Andrew Cristall added a power-play goal, Boone Jenner replied for Columbus, Ilya Protas and Tom Wilson restored leads for Washington, while Zach Werenski and Mathieu Olivier cut deficits. David Gucciardi, a 2022 seventh-round pick, has risen in prospect rankings and shows size and good skating. Tom Wilson recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick, combining scoring, playmaking, and physicality. Sheldon Rempal and Henrik Rybinski also showed promising play.

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