Ethen Frank scores first NHL goal, the game-winner, in Capitals’ 4-1 victory over Predators: ‘I just love being here’

Ethen Frank scored his milestone first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. The 26-year-old winger used his speed to get behind the Nashville defense and slipped a shot through the pads of Predators goaltender Juuse Saros.

Frank’s milestone tally came as he pivoted around defenseman Brady Skjei to receive a long stretch pass from Matt Roy. The three-time AHL All-Star straddled Nashville’s blueline to remain onside and charge in all alone on Saros for the finish.

Frank flashed a huge smile after scoring. Taylor Raddysh leaned over to pick up the milestone puck before joining the goal hug.

“I didn’t think it went in until I got behind the net and saw that it was in,” Frank said. “The only thing I could do was just start screaming. It was pretty cool.”

“He stepped up big time in that moment,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said. “Great speed down the wing, and great finish, too. It’s not easy to finish right there, where you got a D all over your back. Real happy and proud of him for that. That’s something he’ll never forget. He’ll always be able to have that first NHL goal in a massive moment here in Nashville.”

The goal, scored on Frank’s first shot on net, gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead 8:30 into the third period. The tally would ultimately be the game-winner in the Caps’ eventual 4-1 victory.

“Feels unbelievable,” Frank said to Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken. “There’s not a whole lot of words that come to mind other than just good. It feels good to help this team win. They’re all super happy for me. They’ve been super supportive of me so far, and I just love being here.”

Skating on a Capitals’ third line that has struggled all year, Frank now has points in his first two NHL games after registering an assist against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, his milestone first career NHL point.

“It’s pretty special when a guy’s that’s just earned everything,” Capitals’ alternate captain Tom Wilson said. “Hockey is such a great game at every level, but a guy that just stuck with it, a heck of a player, great guy, and he comes up, his work really paid off. You see him have success in front of his family. Tonight, his first goal. It brings you back. It’s what’s so great about the game. When a guy scores his first goal, it’s a dream come true.”

Frank played 10:21 of total ice time in the win, firing just the one shot on goal. He also recorded three individual shot attempts, two individual scoring chances, and one hit.

The Nebraska native said he felt he had taken another step in his game, especially away from the puck, against the Predators.

“I think there was some system stuff that I felt more comfortable doing,” Frank said. “I had a better idea of where to be and when to be there. I’m sure there’ll still be a few clips I look over and continue to get better.”

As for where his first NHL goal puck will go, Frank said, “Probably with the parents if I had to guess. They said I would get it sometime next week with one of the jerseys, so I’m looking forward to that for sure.”