The New Jersey Devils (28-23-4) did not build off their big Stadium Series victory. Instead, the script was flipped and the Devils were on the lopsided end of things. Two points were huge in this one, especially with the Pittsburgh Penguins getting one point and the New York Islanders grabbing two. 

Game Recap

First Period

In typical Devils fashion, they allowed the first goal of the game and in the first minute of the period. A Aliaksei Protas shot caused Nico Daws to give up a rebound and Connor McMichael punched the rebound home.

After that, Daws was settled down and made key saves during the course of the period. The Devils offense also went to work, as they continued to create chances against Charlie Lindgren. Finally, the hard work paid off. After a great individual effort by Simon Nemec, he fed a cross ice pass to Alexander Holtz to tie the game. The horn would sound and the teams would head to the second period tied. 

The entire period was played at five-on-five. Ever since the first goal, the Devils put together a good period of hockey. They out attempted the Capitals 26-18 and held a slight edge in shots on goal (10-8). As an offense, they got better looks and more quality looks, holding the edge in expected goals 1.65-0.97.

Second Period

Once again, it was the Capitals that scored the periods opening goal. After a turnover at the blue line, McMichael went in and with great skill blew past Tomas Nosek and Nemec for the goal.

The Devils would get another power play opportunity but could not find a way to capitalize. Offensive chances and opportunities continued for the Devils and they have done a good job limiting the Capitals. New Jersey would head to the third period trailing 2-1.

In the period, the Devils had a slight edge in shot attempts (16-14), shots on goal (10-7), and expected goals (0.66-0.46). The Devils continued to suppress Washington and give them nothing but have had trouble solving Lindgren at this point in the game. 

Third Period

Just like the first two periods, the first goal belonged to the Capitals. A cross ice pass by Alexander Ovechkin hit off Dylan Strome and when it dropped he punched the puck home. The bleeding continued as Ovechkin buried a goal for himself to extend the lead further, followed by Michael Sgarbossa who punched home a loose puck after being left alone in front of the net. The damage was already done but Erik Haula got the Devils back on the board. Ovechkin continued his monster period by scoring another goal and sealing the deal 6-2. 

This was the only period where the Devils got outplayed. As the game went on, it showed the Devils were lagging behind. Washington out-attempted the Devils 21-16, and dominated in scoring chances 13-5 in the third.

Game Notes

• The Devils could not capitalize on their chances but Charlie Lindgren also played a strong game in net. In all situations, the Devils generated 4.12 expected goals, which is very good. However, Lindgren was better and finished the game with 2.12 goals saved above expected and a .949 save percentage. 

• The Devils’ power play remains stagnant and did not help give them an edge this game. They went 0-for-2 with the man advantage but did have their looks. Between the two power plays, the Devils generated 13 shot attempts, 1.18 expected goals, and eight shots on goal. A once lethal man advantage is going through a tough spell.

What’s Next

The Devils return home to take on the New York Rangers Thursday night.