The New Jersey Devils (39-34-7) bounced back in a major way. They defeated the Washington Capitals (38-29-9) in lopsided fashion, winning 7-3. The big stars came out to shine and they did it in front of the home faithful.
Game Recap
First Period
If you love goal scoring, the first period had loads of it as it was a back-and-forth affair between both teams. The Devils broke the ice with the first two goals of the game and the first goal by Cody Glass was a thing of beauty. Off a great breakout, Lenni Hämeenaho fed a behind-the-back pass to Glass who made no mistake burying it behind Logan Thompson. Not even two minutes later, Dawson Mercer ripped a shot top shelf over Thompson after receiving a pass from Nico Hischier. The lead lasted two minutes, as the Capitals scored two quick goals.
Cole Hutson scored his second goal of the season and moments later Pierre-Luc Dubois cashed in on the power play. The Devils finally grabbed the lead once again on the final two minutes of the period. After cycling the puck well in the offensive zone, Jack Hughes with great patience fed a pass into the wheel house of Dougie Hamilton, who ripped a slap shot to make it 3-2 Devils.
The Capitals were the team that led in terms of quantity, as the shot attempts were 17-12 in their favor. However, the shots on goal were 8-6 Devils at five-on-five play. What the Devils did was generate more quality chances, as they controlled the expected goals share 0.66-0.52.
Second Period
The Devils kept their foot on the gas in the second period and managed to extend their lead. Off an oddaman rush, Jesper Bratt fed a cross-ice pass to Hughes, who buried it with a one timed shot to make it 4-2 Devils. Chances kept coming for the Devils, as Bratt skated in on a breakaway and tried roofing a backhanded shot over the shoulder of Thompson, but it wouldn’t go.
The Devils saw pushback from the Capitals, despite extending their lead. The Capitals held the edge in shot attempts (21-18) and outshot the Devils 12-7 at five-on-five play. Scoring chances were also 12-7 in favor of the Capitals. The Devils finished with an expected goals for percentage of 39.84 for the period, showcasing low event offense and not generating nearly as much as the first.
Third Period
The Devils got their chances right from the jump. While shorthanded, Connor Brown skated in on a breakaway and a roofed backhanded shot that hit the post. Moments later, Jack Hughes scored his second goal of the game. Brown made a great nifty move through the slot to get the puck over to Bratt. Bratt fed Hughes a pass and Hughes just gently slid it past Thompson.
A minute later, the Capitals responded quickly off a goal by Tom Wilson. As the puck bounced over a Devils stick, the Capitals went to work off an odd-man rush. Wilson received a cross ice pass and buried it past Jake Allen.
Three minutes later the Devils went to work on the power play. A Jack Hughes shot generated a rebound and standing right in front of the slot was Nico Hichier. He slid the puck over to Bratt who roofed a shot top shelf to make it 6-3 Devils. Dawson Mercer iced the game with an empty-net goal and the Devils defeated the Capitals 7-3.
Wrap Up
What a massive bounce back game for the Devils who took it to the Capitals right from the start. The big stars showed out tonight, with Jack Hughes (two goals, three assists), and Jesper Bratt (one goal, four assists) having five point nights. Dougie Hamilton also scored a goal and 11 different Devils registered a point tonight. Jake Allen was sharp, stopping 29-of-32 shots he faced.
Game Notes
- Hughes had a monstrous game. He had the second most shots on goal (five) and finished the game with a 54.96 expected goals-for percentage.
- Connor Brown also had a massive game. He led the Devils in Corsi-for percentage (59.26) and was second in expected goals-for percentage (63.33). Brown also finished the game with ann assist.
- Jake Allen played as expected, finishing with .02 goals saved above expected. He finished with a .909 save percentage and finished with an .857 save percentage in the high-danger areas of the ice.
What’s Next?
The Devils stay home and take on the Montreal Canadiens in the first of a home-and-home set on Saturday.