"Over the past few weeks, Joel Ward's struggles were on display as his ice time dipped dramatically. The Capitals winger, a high-priced offseason signing to the tune of a four-year, $12 million deal, went from averaging around 14 to 15 minutes per game to less than 10 minutes for six consecutive games leading up to Tuesday's contest against the Florida Panthers.

In that crucial meeting against the Panthers, though, the Capitals' coaching staff needed him to revive his role as a shutdown forward, particularly with Brooks Laich being held in a limited role with a left knee injury. Ward was placed on a line with Matt Hendricks and Jeff Halpern that was responsible for shutting down Florida's top unit. "