Summary
Although the New Jersey Devils made a push late, they came up short. The Devils lost to the Washington Capitals for the eight-straight time this season. This time by the score of 5-4. Despite scoring four goals, this game was a lot of the same for the Devils when it comes to an inability to finish on their opportunities.
First Period
The Devils actually managed to get off to a good start, with Travis Zajac burying a one-timer from the slot off of a Nick Merkley feed. The Capitals and T.J. Oshie would answer about six minutes later. This would tie things up at 1-1 by period’s end.
Second Period
The Capitals jumped out to a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals by Conor Sheary and Alex Ovechkin, which made things seem like they were starting to slip away. New Jersey had still been creating chances and pressure but just were missing the net, putting shots off the post of just simply getting stoned by Ilya Samsonov.
Yegor Sharangovich managed to sneak a goal home with just about two minutes to go in the period, turning it into a 3-2 game. Meanwhile, giving New Jersey some hope heading into the third. Before the period’s end, It looked like the Devils were going to actually be able to tie the game when Jack Hughes fed Damon Severson back door for the goal. However, Samsonov slid over and robbed him with the glove. Severson immediately skated over to the bench and went down the tunnel where he proceeded to destroy his stick in a fit of rage.
Third Period
Carl Hagelin got the scoring started early in the third when he finished on a short-handed opportunity. This was then ollowed up three minutes later by a Evgeny Kuznetsov goal to make it 5-2 and basically put the game away. The one thing that can be said about this Devils team is they certainly don’t quit on games.
Jesper Bratt fought his way to the front of the net and finished off a strong shift with a goal ten minutes into the period, cutting the lead to 5-3. Five minutes later, Zajac would continue his strong game and once again score off the Merkley feed. This made it now just a 5-4 game. The Devils kept pushing and trying to create opportunities, but just were unable to get the game-tying goal.
Player Spotlight
Jack Hughes
It’s becoming basically a nightly occurrence seeing Jack Hughes create opportunities nearly every shift. However, he just cannot buy a goal right now. It also doesn’t help that when he creates chances for his teammates they aren’t able to finish. In what should have been a huge multi-point night, Jack came away with just one lone assist. However, he once again he showed the his elite playmaking ability.