Caps Steal One From Devils

Capitals 4, Devils 2
Scoresheet – Wash Post

Go figure. I complain that the Capitals can’t be a team like the New Jersey Devils, and the Caps play the trap better than their foes. The Caps were patient and opportunistic. The result is a break in a five game losing streak.

Alex Ovechkin didn’t score, but did get a secondary assist and looked a little more rejuvenated in this game. Alex Semin, Matt Pettinger and Thomas Fleischmann (his first NHL goal) all scored on breakaways on Marty Broduer. Milan Jurcina scored on a deflected shot from the point. Joe Beninati wanted that puck to touch off Ovechkin who was in front of the Devils net, but looked more like it went off the Devils’ defensemen and Jurcina was awarded the goal.

The Devils did seem asleep for the first two periods of this game, but they picked it up late. The Caps weathered the storm, even making things pretty exciting at the end with the Devils pressuring. Cam Janssen had himself quite a game for the Devils scoring his first NHL goal and getting in a fight with Caps tough guy John Erskine. This kid has some fire in him.

Caps need to repeat their performance as they face off against the Devils again 24 hours after their opening face off in NJ. The Devils will be trying to avenge their home loss by coming out tough against the Capitals. The Caps need to continue to play well.