Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Caps wing warms up to extra ice time Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 15:13:22 EST Message-ID: \SE D;SPORTS \HD Caps wing warms up to extra ice time \BY David Elfin \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Not long ago, Paul MacDermid wasn't even sure he'd be in the Washington Capitals' lineup. However, while the 6-8-1 Caps have started slowly, MacDermid is scoring at a personally unprecedented pace. MacDermid's four goals not only project to a career-high 22 for the 29-year-old right wing, but he was tied for second on the Caps until Saturday night. Not bad for a grinding-type forward who was held without a point in four preseason games and was battling the since-departed duo of John Druce and Yvon Corriveau for ice time. "I'm healthy, I know they want me here and I'm getting some power-play time," explained MacDermid, who was acquired from Winnipeg for defenseman Mike Lalor on March 2, the day after top scorer Randy Burridge was lost with a knee injury. "When I came here, I didn't know if they got me just because they lost Burridge or just to help them in the playoffs. I was also in my option year. But when they offered me a contract this summer, I knew I was in their plans." MacDermid, who is eight penalty minutes shy of 1,200 for his career, figured to be no more than a checking line player despite producing seven points in 15 games for the Caps last season. But when Dimitri Khristich and Michal Pivonka were hurt, and Reggie Savage and Kevin Miller fizzled, coach Terry Murray gave his fourth-line guys shots at more ice time. MacDermid seized the chance and hasn't let go. "Paul has played very well," Murray said. "He's been ready to play on whatever line I ask. He's a veteran guy who's been around [eight previous seasons with Hartford and Winnipeg]. He's not afraid to play along the boards or to go to the net and stir things up. If you keep two hands on your stick and keep it low around the net, you're going to pick up five or six extra goals a year." MacDermid, who was slowed by a groin pull in the preseason, also has cut down on the careless penalties that hurt him early in his tenure with the Caps. Murray said even if Pivonka and Khristich return as expected before the end of the month, MacDermid won't lose much ice time because he's one of the few Caps who has produced consistently. "With as many talented players as we have, I knew I had to come into training camp in great shape and concentrate on being a physical presence," said MacDermid, whose career highs are 20 goals, 44 points and 202 penalty minutes. "Part of that is planting myself in front of the net to screen the goalie. I pick up plenty of bruises in front of the net, but they're worth it if we can score." MacDermid, whose wife, Pam, gave birth to their second child, Leah, on July 4, also is much happier because his family is with him. "Living in a hotel can never be like home no matter how nice the hotel is," MacDermid said. "Now my family is here. We're renting Mike Lalor's house in Bowie, and we're getting to know the area." Notes - Murray was thrilled with Mike Ridley's three-point night Saturday in Hartford, noting that the veteran center was on the ice for five of Washington's six goals. Despite Saturday's production, the Caps are barely averaging three goals. Only Hartford, Edmonton, Ottawa and San Jose, who are a combined 12-41-5, have a top scorer with fewer points than the 16 Washington's Peter Bondra has totaled. The other 19 teams average three players with at least 16 points. Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh has seven. Captain Rod Langway had a magnetic-resonance-imaging exam performed on his shoulder yesterday. Team physician Stephen Haas will analyze the MRI results today, then Langway and general manager David Poile will meet to discuss possible surgery on the shoulder and Langway's left knee, which has a slight cartilage tear. Goalie Don Beaupre, who missed last weekend's games with a pulled muscle in his right side, returned to practice and probably will be ready to play tomorrow in New York against the Rangers. Center Michal Pivonka, who has missed the past eight games with a groin pull, skated before practice, but is doubtful for tomorrow. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM