In 240 previous NHL regular-season games, former UAA center Jay Beagle only twice had delivered a two-point game -- once earlier this season, when he had two assists, and once last season, when he had two goals. He's generally a third- and fourth-line grinder, although
Anyhow, Beagle trumped those two-point games Thursday night in San Jose, where he and the Washington Capitals racked a 5-4 overtime win in which Beagle scored two goals and assisted on Joel Ward's game-winning dagger.
OK, granted Beagle had some help. His second goal came when linesman Lonnie Cameron inadvertently served as a pick on Sharks defenseman Mirco Mueller, which allowed Beagle to blow in alone off right wing and tuck a backhander behind Antti Niemi. You can check out that cluster here.
Anyhow, Beagle in 50 games owns 9-8--17 totals, all of which are career highs -- his previous bests in those categories were four goals, six assists and nine points.
Oh, and we should mention that Beagle was a very productive dude Thursday given his limited ice time. He played just 10:32 and furnished three points. Not bad.
What he needs now is a Stanley Cup. Beagle has won an ECHL Kelly Cup with the Idaho Steelheads (2007) and AHL Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears (2009, 2010).