Washington Capitals (2-0-1 5pts) v. New Jersey Devils (1-0-0 2pts)
Lineups:
Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Brett Connolly
Jakub Vrana — Nicklas Backstrom — T.J. Oshie
Andre Burakovsky — Lars Eller — Devante Smith-Pelly
Nathan Walker — Nic Dowd — Chandler Stephenson
Dmitry Orlov — Matt Niskanen
Christian Djoos — John Carlson
Brooks Orpik — Madison Bowey
Pheonix Copley
Braden Holtby
Scratched: Dmitrij Jaskin
Injured: Michal Kempny (concussion), Travis Boyd (lower body)
Suspended: Tom Wilson
Taylor Hall — Nico Hischier — Kyle Palmieri
Marcus Johansson — Pavel Zacha — Stefan Noesen
Miles Wood — Travis Zajac — John Quenneville
Blake Coleman — Brian Boyle — Jean-Sebastien Dea
Mirco Mueller — Sami Vatanen
Andy Greene — Damon Severson
Will Butcher — Ben Lovejoy
Keith Kinkaid
Eddie Lack
Scratched: Steven Santini, Eric Gryba, Drew Stafford
Injured: Jesper Bratt (jaw), Cory Schneider (hip)
First Period:
Devils Goal – 7:02 – Kyle Palmieri (3) from Nico Hischier (2) and Taylor Hall (1)
Capitals Penalty – 9:59 – Lars Eller 2 minutes for Hooking
Devils Penalty – 12:13 – Miles Wood 2 minutes for Roughing
Devils Penalty – 12:13 – Damon Severson 2 minutes for Roughing
Capitals Penalty – 12:13 – Evgeny Kuznetsov 2 minutes for Roughing
Capitals Penalty – 17:43 – John Carlson 2 minutes for Hooking
Devils PPG – 18:33 – Kyle Palmieri (4) from Will Butcher (2) and Travis Zajac (1)
End of 1st – WAS – 0 NJ – 2
Shots 6 13
Faceoffs 7 16
Hits 10 7
PP 0/1 1/2
Analysis:
This was not a great first period for the Capitals. They were dominated by the Devils for the majority of this period. There were some great opportunities for the Capitals to get shots on goal but they were just too cute with the puck, or passed it too many times. Their lone powerplay was wasted with their inability to shoot the puck.
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to shoot more. Plain and simple. You don’t shoot the puck, you don’t score. The Capitals also need to win more faceoffs and pass less. The Capitals also need to neutralize the Devils speed as they are just buzzing right now.
Second Period:
Capitals Penalty – :47 – Jakub Vrana 2 minutes for Tripping
Devils Goal – 2:54 – Marcus Johansson (1) from Sami Vatanen (2) and Mirco Mueller (2)
Devils Penalty – 10:22 – Stefan Noesen 2 minutes for Slashing
End of 2nd – WAS – 0 NJ – 3
Shots 11 25
Faceoffs 12 26
Hits 18 14
PP 0/2 1/3
Analysis:
Another poor period for the Capitals. They are letting the Devils buzz around them and dictate the pace of the game. The Capitals are not generating many shots, even though the opportunities have been there to shoot more, and the Capitals are being dominated in the faceoff circle.
Need to Do:
The Capitals need to get to work and start taking it to the Devils. Pheonix Copley is doing everything he can keep the Capitals in this one, but he needs support, and the Capitals need to give it to him.
Third Period:
Devils Penalty – 1:00 – Stefan Noesen 2 minutes for Slashing
Capitals Penalty – 1:22 – John Carlson 2 minutes for Tripping
Devils Goal – 5:49 – Blake Coleman (1) from Ben Lovejoy (1)
Devils Goal – 11:35 – Jean-Sebastian Dea (1) from Brian Boyle (1)
Devils Goal – 14:45 – Brian Boyle (1) from unassisted
Devils Penalty – 17:52 – Damon Severson 2 minutes for Slashing
End of 3rd – WAS – 0 NJ – 6
Shots 21 36
Faceoffs 23 37
Hits 30 19
PP 0/4 1/4
Analysis:
This was an abysmal game for the Capitals. They were out shot, out hustled, and out played throughout this entire game. They were below par in the faceoff circle and this was an overall horrible game. People will blame the fact that this was the second game of a back to back, but that is no excuse as the Capitals should have been ready to play when the puck dropped. You have to feel bad for Copley, as he did play an amazing game, but got zero support from his team.
Next Up:
Washington (2-1-1 5pts) v. Toronto (4-1-0 8pts)
New Jersey (2-0-0 4pts) v. San Jose (2-2-1 5pts)
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