ARLINGTON, Va. – It happens so fast that most fans, even the most observant, often miss it.



The “it” is the handoff between Capitals head equipment manager Brock Myles and the player whose composite hockey stick just exploded.



The exchange needs to be exact, and it has to be quick. Why? Because it can mean the difference between Alex Ovechkin scoring a big goal, or not. The difference between Evgeny Kuznetsov deflecting away an opponent’s shot attempt with the season on the line, or not.



Myles, an unassuming veteran of 14 years in Washington, shrugged off questions about the exchange as just “part of the job.” But detailed-oriented head coach Todd Reirden knows better.



“Everyone on our team has a role and that includes staff members,” Reirden said. “A stick exchange that turns into a goal or that turns into a situation where, because our player got a stick immediately and there was no delay and...