It didn't take long for Samuel Morin to get a few offers in the pregame warmups. He said five of the Washington Capitals' rookies offered to fight him before the 3-0 shutout win.

"It's normal," the 6-foot-7, 225-pound 2013 first-round pick said. "When I'm starting my career as a pro, some guys because I'm tall, guys want to try me. I have to answer."

He did, about midway through the first period. In the past he had asked former teammate Liam O'Brien, with whom he played in Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, to fight and never got an affirmative response.

"He never wanted to, but today he wanted it," Morin said. "I don't know why, but that was nice."

Morin would have gone again, too, with Kevin Elgestal after he cross-checked Petr Straka into the boards head-first. Outside of his physical game, Morin played a strong game. He was very competent with the puck and, for a guy who was paired with offensive-minded Shayne Gostisbehere on the blueline, pinched in quite a bit as well.

Here are a few other observations from the game.

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