Overview
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Saturday night. Though, the scoreboard may not tell the full story. The Capitals showed some real dominance at times throughout this game, however, Vitek Vanecek was there to answer nearly everything they threw his way.
Jack Hughes also continued his torrid point pace and notched his first NHL hat trick. Meanwhile, Lindy Ruff locked down his 800th career victory.
Games like this show how dangerous this Devils team is. Namely, on even of a bit of an off night, the team can still make you pay.
Recap
First Period
The Devils would strike first courtesy of the Nico Hischier power play goal with just under 11 minutes remaining in the first period. Hischier cleaned up the rebound in tight after a point shot from Dougir Hamilton.
Later in the period, Nathan Bastian took a bit of a shoulder check that clearly put him in some discomfort. Unfortunately, he would not return for the rest of the game. The Devils announced he has an upper-body injury.
Second Period
The second was the Jack Hughes show. Hughes started the scoring six minutes into the period with a beautiful individual effort. First, Hughes read an Capitals’ outlet pass and timed it perfectly, creating space for a quick counter attack. He then seemingly ran out of room but was able to show his patience and bank the puck off the goalie from behind the net and in for his first of the night.
It would only take four more minutes for Hughes to get his second, and it was an absolute beauty. Once again, he worked down to the goal line and from a seemingly impossible angle ripped a quick wrist shot into off the earhole of Lindgren and in.
Third Period
Jack Hughes completed the hat trick in the third period. Erik Haula made a great block that created a two-on-one rush, where Hughes took the tape to tape pass and smoked it by Lindgren.
The Capitals would finally get on the board with a John Carlson blast on the power play, but New Jersey answered right back three minutes later with the game’s final goal from Fabian Zetterlund to make it a 5-1 game.
Takeaways
Vanecek Is Legit
Another night, another stellar performance from the Devils’ netminder. Vanecek improved to 10-2-0 on the season and saved 37 out of 38 shots faced.
He has been an awesome addition for the team and gives them a chance to win every time he steps onto the ice. It was a bit of an ugly performance at times by the skaters, but Vanecek made sure they never fell behind and gave the offense a chance to click.
Hughes Remains A Superstar
It feels hard to believe that Jack Hughes had yet to post a hat trick before Saturday. Though, given his emergence it appears it certainly won’t be his last.
Hughes has continued to show his comfort and dominance on the ice, especially with the puck on his tape. His offensive creativity is on par with some of the best players in the league, and now that his finishing ability is really starting to shine the sky is the limit for him. His contract just keeps looking better and better for New Jersey.
What’s Next
Coming up is a Monday night is a matchup at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers (10-8-4) at 7:00 P.M. ET.