Home / Game Recap / Hot streak continues but now mired in controversy: Caps beat Devils 6-3

Hot streak continues but now mired in controversy: Caps beat Devils 6-3

By Chris Cerullo

 3 Comments

November 30, 2018 9:42 pm

The Washington Capitals looked to get revenge on the New Jersey Devils after their Metro Division foe lambasted them earlier in the season at the Prudential Center. The red hot, streaking Caps returned to on-ice action after a bit of a break following their successful trip to New York.

Nicklas Backstrom struck first as Alex Ovechkin took advantage of a bad Devils change to set up his long time buddy and running mate. Tom Wilson led off the second with a sneaky shorthanded goal, beating Keith Kinkaid after the Devils goalie made a bad giveaway.

Travis Zajac cut that lead in half with a shorty of his own, picking up a rebound from a Blake Coleman shot. Andre Burakovsky split the defense and beat Kinkaid blocker side to restore the lead and Backstrom struck once more to increase it. Hischier got a late one and so did Johansson. Ovi empty netter. Backstrom hat trick.

Caps beat Devils 6-3!

  • First things first, lets give some stick taps to Tom Wilson who played in his 400th career NHL game Friday night. Second things second, lets give him some more stick taps for scoring yet another goal. Third things third, he was ejected and assessed a five minute major for a “hit to the head” on Brett Seney. Wasn’t even close to a headshot, Seney returned quickly to start the third. In my opinion, barely a two minute minor for interference. Let me repeat, “in my opinion”. I urge you to respect each other’s takes on the matter. Not everyone on the RMNB staff shares the same view of this hit, but we aren’t going to call each other names.
  • In my opinion, the Caps were definitely the better of the two teams in the first period. Their forecheck was dogged, penalty kill excellent, speed through neutral was great, and they deservedly took the lead into the first intermission.
  • Wazza was in the house! DC United captain and MVP, Wayne Rooney had seats on the glass with his kids to take in a little DC hockey action. Well in, Wayne.

  • The second period was very bad for the Caps in about 16 different ways. Just, ugh. I’m just thoroughly and completely over this Wilson related hitting discussion. Whatever side you come down on, it’s just so very tiring.
  • Braden Holtby was utterly fantastic in the second. The amount of prime scoring chances and odd man breaks he dealt with in a seven-ish minute length of time alone was ridiculous.
  • The Caps penalty kill is in some kind of groove. They killed a bunch of minors and Wilson’s entire major.

  • The third period was decent from the Caps, but lets be honest that’s not what tonight’s comment section is going to be about. And…that’s a damn shame because we and the national media should be talking about the Caps winning streak and other fun stuff.
  • Big goal from Andre Burakovsky. Love to see him move his feet like that and use his elite speed to beat defenders and get to the cage.
  • Another great night from the Caps leading scorer, Nicklas Backstrom. The world all-time leader in having “quiet” multi point games as he records a hat trick.
  • Seven. In. A. Row.
  • Michal Kempny has been bloody fantastic during this entire winning streak. That doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon.

Next up for the Caps is their first fixture in the month of December as John Gibson and the Anaheim Ducks come to town for a cross conference matchup. Woo. Lets also see what happens with Willy discipline wise.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Devils

Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington

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