Welcome to the NHL scorebook, Andrew Cristall.
The Capitals’ second-round pick, 40th overall, from the 2023 NHL Draft scored his first career NHL preseason goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, beating Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov with a slap shot near the point.
The goal closed the Flyers lead to 2-1 with 2:40 remaining in the first period.
Cristall got a fortunate bounce as Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler, in an attempt to catch the puck, instead deflected it into his own net.
“First one, getting that under my belt was huge and now I want to go out there and try to make a difference out there, be confident,” Cristall said to Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken during the first intermission.
Cristall, 19, was one of the best players on the ice during the game, nearly scoring a breakaway goal and later a tip chance near the net. He registered three shots on goal, four shot attempts at five-on-five, two takeaways, and finished the night with a plus-minus of plus-one.
“He was around the puck all night,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said. “It sorta seems to follow him around in situations, the breakaway. Had a bunch of good opportunities that he was able to create. Scores the goal. So I thought he was very noticeable tonight.”
The young winger is currently participating in his second career NHL Training Camp. Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the Flyers marked Cristall’s second career NHL preseason game. In his first exhibition game last year, he registered an assist in 12:15 of ice time.
“I feel like last year was trying to fit in and not mess up,” Cristall said. “This year I’m trying to be out there and make a difference.”
Carbery admitted that he’s noticed some physical maturation from Cristall while still exhibiting the same offensive instincts that make him a star in junior.
“I’ll take the whole sample size and not just tonight’s game, the camp is he feels a little bit more comfortable,” Carbery said. “It feels to me. that he feels more comfortable, a little bit more confident walking around with not so much tippy toeing around. He’s walking around like ‘I belong here.’ So that’s number one.
“He’s put on a little bit of weight. So you can see him starting to mature physically and so that makes a huge difference for a player of his size. But the plays are still, he’s just such a creative and there’s one instance, I’ll give you an example. There was an instance where he was F3, I think he was covering for a D, second period and he dives down and as a coach you’re like, this could end up in an odd man rush the other way.
“But what tends to happen with him because of just his unique instincts to know what to do at the right time offensively, he dives down, puck ends up on a stick and he’s sitting in the slot with it. Like those situations, those are really usually turn out in his favour and that’s a really good quality. It means it’s a highly skilled player that has the IQ of where the puck is going to go next and where I need to get to physically with my body to put myself in a good spot offensively.”
Cristall, who also participated in Capitals Rookie Camp, is trying to make the NHL team over being sent back to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. The NHL-CHL transfer agreement means Cristall only eligible to play in the NHL or junior hockey as he is under the age of 20. He’s been working hard on his game trying as he tries to take the next step, showing off stronger skating.
“Definitely (working on) my strength and my speed,” Cristall said. “Out here it’s a quick game. It’s really fast-paced, and you need that step to get ahead and get your opportunity. So those are the two biggest things.”
Cristall had 111 points in 62 games for the Rockets last season, including 40 goals and 71 assists.
