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Game preview
The Washington Capitals are trying to make us believers again. Fresh off a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Caps’ playoff chances have miraculously re-entered the double digits as they ride a three-game winning streak.
Standing in the Capitals’ way tonight is the New Jersey Devils, whom the Caps dispatched 2-1 at home twelve days ago.
The game is another figurative Game 7 for Washington. The Capitals currently sit three points out of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and four points out of the third spot, both of which would guarantee playoff spots. The three teams directly in front of them — Ottawa, Detroit, and Philadelphia — all hold a game in hand, though.
Spencer Carbery will ice the same lineup that played against Philadelphia, while Logan Thompson will get the start in net once again. Thompson has started the last nine Capitals games. For those who forget, this is what Charlie Lindgren looks like.
Puck drop for tonight’s matchup will be 7:30 pm. The game will be airing on ESPN+.
RMNB headlines
- Alex Ovechkin reportedly not interested in a farewell tour, liked how Wayne Gretzky announced retirement ahead of final regular-season game
- Alex Ovechkin hopes his hockey museum in Russia will open in 2027, says jersey swaps have nothing to do with him retiring
- Nicklas Backstrom unsure if he’ll continue hockey career after Brynäs eliminated from SHL playoffs: ‘It’s a tough question right now’
- John Carlson meets up with former Capitals teammate Dmitry Orlov after Ducks-Sharks game
- John Tortorella was calling Nic Dowd by the wrong name in his first game as Golden Knights head coach
- Brandon Duhaime changes goal song to Lilo & Stitch’s ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’
- Aliaksei Protas does not skate at optional Capitals practice, will not travel with team to play Devils
- No Capitals player had more points in March’s must-win games than Ryan Leonard: ‘He loves these games. That’s just his DNA as a person and as a player.’
- Cole Hutson benched during third period of Capitals’ win over Flyers: ‘You cannot hide as a defenseman’
Lines
Washington Capitals
New Jersey Devils
Goalie matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Lapierre-Dubois-Wilson and Chychrun-TVR get the start.
Big hit by Ovechkin on Bjugstad at the benches.
Another big hit – this time from Ivan Miroshnichenko.
Oh no, Dylan. He completely misses the net on a breakaway.
Nasty(!) tic-tac-toe passing play gives Cody Glass the first goal of the game. Wow.
1-0 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Cody Glass (26). Assists: L. Hameenaho (5), N. Bjugstad (3). Time: 5:22
Wide open in front, Mercer finds his own rebound and beats Thompson. Caps need to respond or the rout will be on.
2-0 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Dawson Mercer (16). Assists: T. Meier (17), N. Hischier (34). Time: 7:37
Hendrix Lapierre pokes it forward to Cole Hutson who scores on the breakaway! Capitals are back in it. What great speed and intelligence by Hutson to join the play.
2-1 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Cole Hutson (2). Assists: H. Lapierre (12), T. Wilson (28). Time: 8:13
Capitals get their first power play of the game. Have the opportunity to tie now.
Power play
Brenden Dillon tripping penalty at 9:21 (2 mins)
PLD pokes it home on the power play! The game’s tied. What an opening 10 minutes.
2-2 tie
PPG: Pierre-Luc Dubois (2). Assists: R. Leonard (24), T. Wilson (29). Time: 9:46
That’s four combined goals in 4:25.
Ivan Miroshnichenko heads the puck to himself lmao and then puts a shot on goal. That was UNREAL. Haha.
A Dougie Hamilton point shot beats a screened Logan Thompson. Caps were running around a bit with their man-to-man defense with Justin Sourdif and Anthony Beauvillier not really guarding anyone.
3-2 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Dougie Hamilton (12). Assists: J. Hughes (42), J. Bratt (43). Time: 18:19
Cole Hutson with some great playmaking near the net, pulls Allen way out of the crease. Caps have a wide-open net but it appears Tom Wilson blocked the puck from going in.
At intermission: The Devils, who are playing some inspired hockey, lead 3-2. Shots on goal are 9-8 Caps. Fun game!
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Tom Wilson draws a penalty on Timo Meier after stealing the puck in the offensive zone.
Power play
Caps can’t score on the power play.
Bratt finds Hughes at the far post and he buries it past Thompson.
4-2 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Jack Hughes (23). Assists: J. Bratt (44), J. Kovacevic (7). Time: 9:10
Ryan Leonard is ailing after a sturdy counter hit by Aho that may have caught him in the head. But he gives a thumbs up to the trainer on the bench. He’s staying in the game.
Fantastic shift by the Caps first line at the end of the first period, they had nearly 10 shot attempts there. Great control in the offensive zone. Ovechkin hit the post on a rebound attempt too.
At intermission: The Devils lead 4-2. Shots are 22-17 Capitals.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped. This could be the Capitals’ season right here.
Leonard trips Jack Hughes. Not his best moment in the D-zone.
Penalty kill
Ryan Leonard tripping penalty at 2:16 (2 mins)
Capitals with a huge kill.
Power play
Nico Hischier tripping penalty at 4:45 (2 mins)
Connor Brown off the post on a CLEAR breakaway.
Caps can’t score on the power play.
5-2 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Jack Hughes (24). Assists: J. Bratt (45), C. Brown (23). Time: 8:10
Devils leave Tom Wilson wide open down the middle of the ice and he makes them pay.
5-3 New Jersey Devils
Goal: Tom Wilson (28). Assists: R. Sandin (24), P. Dubois (10). Time: 9:33
Caps have life!
Oh no. Kampf no. This is not the time.
Penalty kill
David Kampf penalty at 11:22 (2 mins)
Bratt wide open on the right side. Slap shot. Score.
6-3 New Jersey Devils
PPG: Jesper Bratt (20). Assists: N. Hischier (35), J. Hughes (43). Time: 12:16
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