Devils Vs Capitals February 21, 2013 Game Review

Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk scores GWG on Capitals' Braden Holtby in Washington, DC February 21, 2013.
Photo © Alex Brandon / AP Photo.

New Jersey Devils 3 Vs Washington Capitals 2 = Home Game Loss

The Washington Capitals hit the one-third mark of the short 48 game -2012--2013 NHL season with another tough loss. It was the sixth straight game that they had scored the first goal, but as usual for the Capitals, that was not a good indicator of how the game would go.

This was also the sixth straight start for Caps' goaltender Braden Holtby, as they faced Martin Brodeur (G) and the New Jersey Devils. Washington had won three of their last four games, while New Jersey had lost three of their last four.

The Capitals have done well on the power-play, recently. Over the last seven games, they had scored eight goals on their last nineteen chances, making them fourth in the league. About nine-and-a-half minutes into period two, the Caps got the first goal again, and it came on the power-play. Troy Brouwer (F) had his shot blocked, but Mathieu Perreault (C) was right behind him, and Perreault's wrister got through Brodeur.

Unfortunately, the Devils' Patrik Elias (LW) scored a short-handed goal about a minute-and-a-half later. So much for New Jersey not doing well on the penalty kill. Shortly after that, with Washington on the PP again, center Mike Ribeiro scored his sixth goal of the season. Again, Troy Brouwer with the primary assist, while Caps' centerman Nicklas Backstrom provided the other helper.

The third period was just plain ugly. Washington has had penalty trouble in a lot of their games, this season. Like in a few of those games, the referees were more than a bit "helpful" in adding minutes to the Cap's penalty stats. The Capitals suffered seven of the eight penalties called, including the last six straight.

Andrei Loktionov (C) scored an even-strength goal for New Jersey in between a couple of those penalties, about nine minutes through the period. With Washington trying to kill yet another penalty a couple minutes later, Ilya Kovalchuk (RW) scored the game-winning PPG for the New Jersey.

There is both good news and bad news for the Capitals. The bad news is that one-third of the season is gone, they are still committing far too many penalties, and they have to face the Devils again on Saturday. The good news is they still have two-thirds of the season to go, and they face the Devils again on Saturday.

Game Highlights: New Jersey Devils At Washington Capitals February 21, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/21/13: Caps players Jay Beagle, Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby and Karl Alzner address the media after a 3-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/21/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils.