The New Jersey Devils hosted the Washington Capitals this past Saturday at the Prudential Center. This was a major divisional matchup as this would be the last time these two teams met during the regular season this year. New Jersey fell short to the Capitals just by one goal, 6-5. This was the fourth time this season the Devils met the Capitals.
In the first period, Devils Captain, Nico Hischier opened the game by winning the first face-off of the night. Which to include early, the Devils had a face-off percentage Saturday night of 48.5%. At about 6:19 in the first the Capitals score first. The Capitals goal was scored by Andrew Mangiapane who fired the puck into the back of the Devils net with a slap shot, which was assisted by Hendrix Lapierre and John Carlson.
At 10:54, the Devils come back and tie the game, 1-1. Nico Hischier scores the Devils first goal of the night; his 15th goal of the season (backhand) which was assisted by Luke Hughes and Timo Meier – beautiful set up by Luke Hughes. At 11:33, the Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler and Capitals’ Pierre-Luc Dubois each received penalties for roughing. At 11:42 in the Paul Cotter was called for interference against Andrew Mangiapane. As the first period comes to an end, Jesper Bratt received a penalty for hooking against Tom Wilson.
The second period commenced and Capitals, Dylan Strome wins the face-off against Devils, Nico Hischier. Just shortly minutes in, Justin Dowling for the New Jersey Devils put a goal in the Capitals net, making this his second goal of the season. His goal was assisted by Brett Pesce. Dowling breaks the tie and puts the Devils in the lead. At 8:04 the Devils Paul Cotter was called for unsportsmanlike conduct against Jakob Chychrun. 45 seconds later, Devils, Dawson Mercer received a double-minor for high-sticking against Dylan Strome. The Capitals came back to tie the game up, 2-2. Connor McMichael scored on a power-play with a snap shot, his goal was assisted by Pierre-Luc Dubois and John Carlson.
Then, the Devils let in yet another goal from the Capitals. Jakob Chychrun scored his first of the night on a power-play with a wrist shot. Chychrun’s goal was assisted by Lars Eller and Rasmus Sandin, bringing the score to 3-2. Luke Hughes received a penalty for tripping against Andrew Mangiapane at 17:48 in the second. As the second period begins to conclude, the Capitals score again bringing the game to 4-2. Capitals goal was scored by Rasmus Sandin, which was also on a power-play. His goal was a wrist shot assisted by Ivan Miroshnichenko. The New Jersey Devils got hurt this period because they took multiple penalties, giving the Capitals power-play advantages.
The final period of the night commenced, and Nico Hischier won the face off against Dylan Strome. Just two minutes and three seconds in, Stefan Noesen scored his 12th goal of the season which was on a power-play, beginning to bring the Devils back up the board. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt set up the puck perfectly to condition a tip-in goal for the Devils. Not long after, Jesper Bratt is able to find his way to the Capitals net with a wrist shot. His goal was assisted by Jack Hughes and Ondrej Palat. Devils fans really love to see Hughes, Bratt, and Palat work together — a good play always comes from them. Jesper Bratt tied the game, 4-4.
The Capitals then came back quick and scored two more goals on the Devils net. At 13:54, Taylor Raddysh scored a tip-in, with assists by Martin Fehervary and John Carlson. Ten seconds later they scored another goal. A snap shot put in by Pierre-Luc Dubois with assists by Aliaksei Protas and Taylor Raddysh. The Devils surely fought till the end. The New Jersey Devils are able to put in one more goal before the night ends. Another power-play goal for Stefan Noesen (snap shot) with assists by Timo Meier and Jack Hughes.
With that being said, the New Jersey Devils have one of the highest power-play percentages so far this year, at 33.7% comparing it to last years which was 22.4% – their penalty-kill percentage being 81.0% this year. This Saturday night, they played with a power-play percentage of 66.7%. After Stefan Noesens goal, the Devils fall short by one goal and are not able to work up a good enough play with the remaining four minutes to tie the game back up. Leading the game to a score of 6-5, Capitals.
The New Jersey Devils will next play the New York Rangers this Monday night at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m.
