The Washington Capitals were outplayed in a 5-3 season-opening loss to the New Jersey Devils five days ago. It could be argued that it was not a fair fight, with New Jersey starting their regular season in Europe a week before the game, while the Capitals sat idle for a week following their last preseason contest.
Washington (2-1-0) does not have to wait long to get another crack at taking down the Devils (5-2-0) with their first road game of the 2024 campaign taking them to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Washington arrives in North Jersey following back-to-back wins over undefeated Western Conference teams. New Jersey left Ottawa with a 3-1 road win in a near shutout for Jacob Markstrom on Thursday night.
Washington Capitals look to continue winning ways
The Washington Capitals have used strong second periods in their last two games to take down some of the best the West offers early in the season. Once the lead has been secured, the Caps have clamped down defensively to secure the win in regulation.
Tom Wilson leads the team with three goals spread out evenly over three games this season. Wilson scored 18 goals last season before adding one tally in the quick playoff appearance for Washington last year. Wilson’s next goal will be a milestone tally reaching 150 career NHL goals.
Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson are tied for the team lead with three assists. Carlson has an excellent start to the year scoring the Capitals’ first goal in addition to his helpers. Meanwhile, Ovechkin still seeks his first goal entering the fourth game of the year. “The Great 8” trails “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky by 42 goals for the NHL’s all-time career scoring record.
The New Jersey Devils are in fine form
There have not been many miscues for the New Jersey Devils since they opened their season in Czechia as part of the NHL’s Global Series. The Devils swept the Buffalo Sabers in both European games and since returning to the States and losing to Toronto. New Jersey is 3-1 since the home-opening loss to the Maple Leafs, including a road win over Washington.
The New Jersey Devils’ second line of Paul Cotter, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt has terrorized opposing defenses early on this season. Cotter has scored five times for New Jersey which places him second in the NHL alongside New York’s Artemi Panarin. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL with six goals this season.
Third-line forward Stefan Noesen has been a fantastic offseason addition by Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald. Noesen returned to the Devils following several seasons in Carolina. The 31-year-old forward is tied with Cotter and Bratt for the team lead in points with six points behind two goals and four assists.
Capitals vs. Devils Goalie Matchup
Washington’s Charlie Lindgren is 1-1 on the year with a 3.06 goals-against-average and 89% save mark on the season. Lindgren stopped 28 pucks in the season-opening loss to New Jersey but allowed four goals in the contest. Devils backup goalie, Logan Thompson, is 1-0 with a 2.02 goals-against-average and and .923% save percentage in his lone appearance.
The New Jersey Devils upgraded their goaltending situation following a much-rumored offseason trade with the Calgary Flames to bring in Jacob Markstrom to tend the net in Newark. Markstrom has started five games with a 3-2 record, a 2.43 goals-against-average, and a .918% puck save rate. Markstrom stopped 29-of-32 shots to pick up the win against Washington earlier this season. New Jersey’s backup, Jake Allen, has played twice this season and is 2-0. Allen has allowed 1 goal against 38 shots faced this season.
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