John Druce personified the low-light player who briefly stepped in to the spotlight. During the regular season of 1989-90, Druce had 8 goals and 3 assists in 45 games, with the Washington Capitals. In the first round of the playoffs - in eliminating the New Jersey Devils in six games - John contributed three goals. Dino Ciccarelli was the Capitals' offensive star with 8 goals and 3 assists. Round two saw Washington eliminate the New York Rangers in five games, and Druce was the offensive star with 9 goals and 2 assists. Boston then bounced the Capitals in four games. John led Washington's losing effort with two goals and one assist. He wound up with 14 goals and 3 assists in 15 playoff games.
Yes, Druce was a flash-in-the-pan in terms of never again being as productive as he was that Spring, but that output proved that he possessed enough scoring ability to be more than a checker. In 1990-91, he scored 22 goals in 80 games with the Capitals, and then scored 19 goals in 67 games in 1991-92. With the Los Angeles Kings, he had 14 goals in 55 games in 1993-94, and 15 goals in 43 games in 1994-95.
Yes, Druce was a flash-in-the-pan in terms of never again being as productive as he was that Spring, but that output proved that he possessed enough scoring ability to be more than a checker. In 1990-91, he scored 22 goals in 80 games with the Capitals, and then scored 19 goals in 67 games in 1991-92. With the Los Angeles Kings, he had 14 goals in 55 games in 1993-94, and 15 goals in 43 games in 1994-95.
