He's scoring goals for the Caps and playing defense at home
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Alex Tuch has been the Caps' most prolific scorer this year. Photo: Jess Rapfogel/NHLI via Getty Images
Alex Tuch has two new assignments this fall: scoring goals for the Capitals and raising three children under 3.
- He and his wife, Kylie, welcomed their daughter in August — two months after Tuch was traded to Washington.
- Their new parenting strategy? "Zone coverage, man," Tuch said.
Why it matters: The Caps committed eight years and $84 million to Tuch, hoping the 6-foot-4 winger would bring size and scoring to their lineup. So far, he's delivering, with a team-high five goals — even as life at home gets considerably busier.
The big picture: Tuch says going from two children to three has been easier than going from one to two.
- His two boys can entertain each other while attention shifts to their baby sister.
- Tuch has his own nap routine that lines up with his boys'.
Between the lines: Tuch credits Kylie with doing much of the heavy lifting, including handling baby duties before games.
- Road trips have gotten tougher now that his almost-3-year-old son understands Dad is leaving.
- Fortunately, 11 of Washington's first 15 games are at home. But pray for Kylie during the team's two-week Western Conference road trip in early December.
What he's saying: "They don't get enough credit," Tuch said of players' partners like his wife. "She's the reason why I can do what I can do right now."
- The couple also gets help from their parents and a nanny.
Flashback: Tuch has history with the Capitals. Remember Braden Holtby's sprawling save in Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final? Tuch, then a rookie, was the Vegas player who got denied.
- After four seasons with the Golden Knights, he spent five in Buffalo, where he scored 30-plus goals three times and became a fan favorite.
- Tuch grew up in upstate New York and rooted for the Sabres as a kid.
The bottom line: Tuch is settling into Washington and sharing some wisdom with his new locker-room neighbor.
- "Tuchy is always talking about how he's tired with three and that I'm lucky I have only one," said Caps winger Tom Wilson, who's expecting his second child next year.
What's next: The Caps host Tuch's former team, the Sabres, on Saturday.
- But first, there's a particular dad chore waiting for him in the kitchen.
- "I'm good at dishes," Tuch said. "I do a lot of that."