Game information/links
Game preview
Fresh off Cole Hutson’s exciting NHL debut, the Washington Capitals (34-7-8, 76 points) are back for their third game of a four-game homestand, facing off against the New Jersey Devils (35-31-2, 72 points) at Capital One Arena.
The Devils enter the game on a three-game winning streak and victors of seven of their last 10, creeping back into the morass of Eastern Conference teams sitting outside a playoff spot. The Devils have been hot since Jack Hughes returned from Italy after scoring the Gold Medal Goal for Team USA over Canada. The Devils’ star forward has recorded consecutive three-point nights coming into Friday’s game and has posted 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in his 11 games since the Olympics.
The Capitals, who may need to win out to have a shot at making the postseason, are now seven points behind third-place Columbus in the Metropolitan Division — they leapfrogged over the New York Islanders last night in the standings — and eight points behind the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings for the first and second wild card spots in the East.
The Capitals will roll with the same group that helped push the team to a 4-1 win on Wednesday over the Ottawa Senators. During the morning skate, Spencer Carbery revealed that there would be no lineup changes for the Capitals, but the lines will move around some. Logan Thompson will get the start. Ivan Miroshnichenko will be healthy-scratched for a seventh-straight game since being called up from the Hershey Bears.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is at 7 pm. The game is airing on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
New Jersey Devils
Goalie matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st period
Puck is dropped!
Five minutes in, eagerly awaiting WSH’s first shot on goal.
If you had Connor McMichael on your “first SOG by” bingo square, mark it off.
Jack Hughes’ scoring chance was sabotaged by Cole Hutson.
Leonard settles the puck and scores.
1-o Washington Capitals
R.LEONARD(15) 22 B.DUHAIME(4) 57 T.VAN RIEMSDYK(9)
Logan Thompson has the answer for Jack Hughes with a flashy glove save.
Thompson with a big stop on Bratt in the final minute.
At intermission: After a slow start, the Caps lead in every offensive stat, 8-5 in shots on goal, plus the really important one that they show on the scoreboard.
2nd period
Puck is dropped.
Aliaksei Protas was a fraction of an inch from a goal.
Caps keep pushing, with Ovi close to scoring.
Penalty kill
Ethan Frank – 2 minutes for high sticking
Killed.
Hutson and Roy team up for a nice scoring chance, but no dice.
Hutson (Cole) and Hughes (Jack) are really getting into it.
Feels like the Caps are threatening every shift, especially Cole Hutson. Nothing hits net though.
Penalty kill
Tom Wilson – 2 minutes for hooking
Devils hit the crossbar. Logan Thompson thanks the crossbar for its service.
At intermission: The Caps lead shots (on goal) 16 to 11 and are controlling play well overall, but the Devils will enter the third period with a bit more PP time.
3rd period
Puck is down.
Caps kill the penalty.
Devils appear to be running J Hughes – Nico Hischier – Timo Meier on a line together.
Thompson makes a lightning-fast save to stop Mercer from tying the game.
Ethen Frank, the second most famous Ethan of the night, was very close to scoring again.
Finally, a power play.
Power play
Johnathan Kovacevic – 2 minutes for hooking
Hutson is on PP2.
Yeah, no scoring there. Devils kill it.
Both goalies are having a great night. Jake Allen just denied Leonard from having a two-goal game.
Devils pull Allen. Classic mistake.
2-o Washington Capitals
21 A.PROTAS(23) 80 P.DUBOIS(5) 43 T.WILSON(27)
Aaaaaand the Devils crack the shutout. Someone somewhere must of jinxed it.
2-1 Washington Capitals
63 J.BRATT(17) 86 J.HUGHES(37)
Capitals win 2-1.
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