Ryan Leonard's priceless reaction to Tony DeAngelo

On Sunday at UBS Arena, cameras caught the rookie winger grinning as DeAngelo barked at him after a whistle. Instead of squaring up, Leonard just laughed, shook his head, and skated away still chirping.

Chris Cerullo summed it up on X, saying this is exactly the sort of thing Leonard does when he is really feeling his game.

The more annoying he becomes for opponents, the more comfortable he clearly feels inside an NHL game.

Tom Wilson did the heavy scoring with two goals and an assist, while Logan Thompson stopped thirty of thirty one Islanders shots. Alex Ovechkin added an empty netter for career goal number nine hundred nine, and the Capitals improved to fifteen wins already on the season.

Leonard still found the scoresheet, picking up the primary power play assist on Wilsons opener seven minutes into the first period.

The twenty year old now sits at five goals and eight assists for thirteen points in his first twenty three NHL games this season.

Drafted eighth overall in 2023 by Washington, Leonard arrived billed as a power winger who could score and aggravate in equal measure.

We are already seeing that blend, from crease jams on the second power play unit to relentless forecheck hits that tilt the ice every night.

The key now is walking the line, staying annoying without taking the kind of undisciplined penalties that burn a young player with coaches.

If Ryan Leonard keeps laughing off challenges and helping drive wins like Sunday, the Capitals might finally have their next great pest in red.