The New Jersey Devils continued their win streak. They marched into the nation’s capital and defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2. It was a game where special teams took over and the team saw Dougie Hamilton score in consecutive games. Jake Allen got the victory, his 200th of his career, and the Devils got a huge two points against a division opponent.
Game Recap
First Period
The first period saw a flurry of goals and by both teams. At the 13:52 minute mark of the first period, the Capitals drew first blood. After strong puck cycling, Rasmus Sandin fed Matthew Roy a pass and be fired a shot past Jake Allen. Three minutes later, the Devils lethal power play went to work. A Luke Hughes cross-ice pass was redirected by Erik Haula. It created a rebound and Tomas Tatar pounced on the loose puck. The game stayed tied the rest of the period.
The first period was a fairly low-event period between the two teams. At five on five, the Devils outshot the Capitals 4-3. However, the quality of chances belonged to the Capitals. They generated more scoring chances (7-4) and owned the high-danger attempts (4-1). The Capitals also controlled the expected goals share 0.4-0.24.
Second Period
What a time to score your first goal as a Devil. A harmless Brendon Dillon shot from the blueline found its way past a screened Charlie Lindgren and the Devils took the lead. Moments later, a heavy weight tilt between Brandon Duhaime and Johnathan Kovacevic took place. The theme of the period being defenseman scoring continued and once again on the power play.
After winning the faceoff, Jesper Bratt fed Dougie Hamilton a pass and he ripped it past Lindgren to extend the lead. The Devils maintained their lead and headed to the third period up 3-1.
The Capitals were a much stronger team at five on five. They controlled the shot attempts 26-20, but the shots on goal were close. The Devils saw the Capitals generate more scoring chances (10-6) and once again controlled the expected goals share 0.84-0.58. Another low-event period at even strength dominated by the power play.
Third Period
It was the Capitals turn to capitalize on the power play. After strong puck movement, John Carlson sent a cross-ice pass to Connor McMichael to cut the deficit to one. Both teams traded chances and played with a strong pace in the period. The Capitals had good chances, but Jake Allen answered the bell. The Devils hung on and defeated the Capitals 3-2.
Being down 3-1 saw the Capitals push the pace. They dominated the shot attempts differential (21-10) and once again got the better end of the scoring chances (9-2). It was a consistent theme that played out the entire game. The Devils prevailed, but certainly got outworked during five on five play.
Game Notes
- The Devils power play went to work. Their fifth ranked unit coming into the game went 2-for-5, good for a 40% success rate. They did a good job generating chances of quality, getting seven high-danger attempts. It sealed their victory as well.
- The line of Nico Hischier, Stefan Noesen, and Timo Meier got worked. They lost the shot attempts share (18-9). Also, the line finished with an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) of 22.2. Not their best night, but the team as a whole wasn’t strong at five on five play.
What’s Next?
The Devils return home to take on the Nashville Predators on Monday at 7:00 pm ET.