And hes definitely done a great job. Hes exceeded a lot of expe

WASHINGTON -- Capitals coach Barry Trotz told Daniel Winnik after last season that he wanted more offense from the fourth-line grinder.He listened.Winnik scored twice, on a deflection and a dazzling one-man effort, as Washington beat the New York Islanders 2-1 Saturday night in its home opener. Fourth-liners Winnik, Jay Beagle and Tom Wilson contributed the kind of scoring depth the Capitals hoped to get this season and shut down captain John Tavares and the Islanders top line in the process.Every game you need different guys to step up, and that line was the reason we won tonight, said goaltender Braden Holtby, who made 21 saves. They created the majority of our good chances.Winniks fifth career multi-goal game was his second in 22 regular-season games in a Capitals uniform. He led the way as the Capitals bounced back from a season-opening shootout loss at Pittsburgh to pick up their first victory.It took until almost halfway through last season for Washington to lose two consecutive games in any fashion as it won the Presidents Trophy.With that and other brand-new banners hanging from the rafters, the Capitals honored longtime winger Jason Chimera, who left to sign with the Islanders in the offseason, and got production from one of the players theyre counting on to help replace him. Chimera received a hearty standing ovation during a video tribute in the first period that commemorated his seven seasons in Washington and a few memorable playoff goals.Winnik had no goals in 12 playoff games last spring after coming over from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. The Capitals made a point of upgrading their forward depth over the summer, most notably by acquiring center Lars Eller from Montreal, but Winnik putting points on the board can only help.I think hes capable of it, Trotz said. I just said: `I expect some offense out of you. Dont forget that part of the game, you have pretty good instincts. That was a pretty good start for him.After deflecting John Carlsons point shot past backup goalie Thomas Greiss to open the scoring 11:58 into the first period, Winnik got on the highlight reel with his second goal of the night. Winnik poked the puck up ice to himself and around Travis Hamonic as the defenseman fell down before deking and beating Greiss 7:46 into the second.Winnik scored twice only three times in his previous 625 NHL games for the Coyotes, Sharks, Ducks, Avalanche, Penguins and Maple Leafs.Its not the first team Ive been on where they want me to shoot more pucks, Winnik said. Its something Ive got to me cognizant of and not look pass-first.Winnik, Beagle and Wilson played sparingly against the Penguins because of matchups and were determined to make a difference.Those games are going to happen, like the first game, Beagle said. Youve just got to be ready when the line is called and get out there and try and make an impact on the game.Ryan Strome scored a power-play goal in the first period for the Islanders, who have no points through two games after losing to the Rangers on Thursday. This was a better performance but lacked the finish.I feel like we probably played a little bit better game today, Tavares said. We had our chances, just werent able to bury them.Like the loss to the Rangers, this game featured rookie mistakes as Mathew Barzal took two penalties in the first 5:06 in his NHL debut.Hell never forget that first shift, will he? coach Jack Capuano said. I thought he rebounded well after that.Greiss stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced in his first start of the season.Game notesIslanders rookie Anthony Beauvillier was a healthy scratch for Barzal. Coach Jack Capuano said the team had to figure out what the 19-year-olds could do because carrying only six defensemen is not the long-term plan. ... The Capitals went 0 for 5 on the power play and are now 0 for 8 through two games.UP NEXTIslanders: Welcome the Anaheim Ducks to Barclays Center on Sunday for their home opener and the start of five consecutive home games.Capitals: Host the Colorado Avalanche and new coach Jared Bednar on Tuesday.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno .Custom Hockey Jerseys Outlet . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Custom Vancouver Canucks Jerseys . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. http://www.customjerseyshockey.com/custom-buffalo-sabres-jerseys-179b.html . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Custom Winnipeg Jets Jerseys . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Custom Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming.ASHBURN, Va. -- When Vernon Davis didnt produce like his young self, he understood the questions.Everybody starts to worry, Davis said. Theyre like: Hey guys, we need to figure it out: Can Vernon still play?Quarterback Kirk Cousins wondered whats left in the tank for Davis when the Washington Redskins signed the veteran tight end after the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos decided they didnt need him.Those fears evaporated at an informal offseason session at a local Washington-area high school in April.We were throwing, and I realized right away this guy can still play, Cousins said. Im still trying to figure out what the catch is or why two teams let him go.The catch is Davis is 32 years old and in his 11th NFL season, and he was limited to two touchdowns in 2014 and none last season. Back in his hometown, hes rejuvenated with 31 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns through 11 games.I feel like the older I get, the better I get, said Davis, a D.C. native and star at Maryland. I feel like Im just starting, man. Im just getting started. I tell everyone the same thing: When I lose my speed, then Ill hang it up. But I still have my speed. I can still run. With that, I continue to play this game.Davis could be a big part of the Redskins game Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals as starting tight end Jordan Reeds status is in doubt with a sprained shoulder.Davis already shouldered the load when Reed missed two October games with a concussion, and he has the speed and big-play ability for Cousins to turn to him.Cousins said Davis could run the 40-yard dash like an elite wide receiver.Its just been a joy to play with him and have him on the team, Cousins said. And with the injuries that Jordans sustained, hes become even more valuable needing to step up and be a difference maker.Davis days as a difference maker arent that far gone. He had 52 catches, including 13 touchdowns, in 2013 for San Francisco.On Wednesday, he lamented mistakes madde along the way and expressed gratitude for playing and winning a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning.ddddddddddddDavis remained optimistic, but perhaps most importantly he maintained his chiseled physique -- which has receiver Pierre Garcon thinking: When you get older, you definitely want to look like that.Offensive coordinator Sean McVay said Davis is a guy that takes care of his body, and I think we felt very comfortable that if he was put in this situation that there would be a chance for him to have success.And hes definitely done a great job. Hes exceeded a lot of expectations.Beyond the passing game, coach Jay Gruden sees Davis influence on the run, too.I think thats where he has helped the most, Gruden said. These 4.6 yards a carry that I think we are averaging right now, a lot of it is because of our tight end -- blocking in the core, cut off on the backside or what have you -- and hes a big part of that.Blocking is one of Davis skills, but Garcon is quick to point out that hes a receiving tight end. Davis definitely feels like that again and is glad the Redskins took a chance on him.Im always expecting the best and preparing for the worst, Davis said. I wouldnt trade it for anything in the world, because being back home where I was born and raised, getting an opportunity to play in front of friends and family, cant trade that. It doesnt happen like that often.NOTE: Reed and DL Anthony Lanier (shin) did not practice Thursday for a second consecutive day. ... Cousins was chosen as the NFC offensive player of the month for November after completing 72.4 percent of his passes for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. He had a passer rating of 124.4 in November, and his 362 yards a game led all quarterbacks.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '