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.

Capitals Vs Devils January 25, 2013 Game Review

Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth run over in second period, stayed sharp - Newark, NJ January 25, 2013.
Photo © Mel Evans / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 2 Vs New Jersey Devils 3 = Road Game OT Loss

Friday night - January 25, 2013, the Washington Capitals were on the road, visiting the New Jersey Devils. It was the fourth game of the season, and the Washington was still looking for their first point. With an overtime loss, that's all they brought back home.

The road trip was the second of the season for the Capitals. It was the first return to New Jersey for former Devils assistant coach, and now current Capitals head coach, Adam Oates.

Michal Neuvirth started his second game in net for the Caps. While he was sharp in his first game, he was magnificent in this one. Though all the guys played better this time, Neuvirth was the player that kept them in the game most of all. His positioning was solid, and he moved very quickly, when he needed to. With Washington's current propensity for committing penalties, his performance would turn out to be very important.

After striking first in period one, New Jersey scored their only power-play goal late in the second. That Patrik Elias (LW) PPG came during a five-on-three situation, something the Capitals have had a lot of trouble with so far this season.

Washington scored twice in the third period. The first time was a power-play goal by Mike Ribeiro (C), with Joel Ward (RW) and Mike Green (D) assisting. The second, came unassisted from Mike Green (D), with both teams at full strength. It also tied the game, sending it into overtime.

It was great, because we finally had a few minutes were it looked like the Caps actually had a chance at winning a game. However, with less than thirty seconds left, Ilya Kovalchuk (RW) sent a wrister into the net.

What changes will we see in the Capitals' next game? The lines will probably be shaken up even more than we've seen so far. Is the Alex Ovechkin on right-wing experiment over? He always ended up drifting back over to the left side anyway.

The worst part about the Capitals having a bad start in this short season, is that they don't have much time to turn things around. The good part is that it will make the season seem much longer, if they keep doing so poorly.

Washington Capitals At New Jersey Devils January 25, 2013 Game Highlights

Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/25/13: Caps players Mike Ribeiro, Michal Neuvirth and Karl Alzner address the media after a 3-2 OT/loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Adam Oates Postgame 01/25/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 OT/loss against the New Jersey Devils.

Devils Vs Capitals 10/18/2008 Review

Alexander Semin scores goal in Period 1.

Devils 4 - Capitals 3 SO Loss

The Washington Capitals hosted the New Jersey Devils in last night's shootout loss. As in their last game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington's power play wasn't clicking. Unlike in that game, it proved to be fatal in this close one.

The Capitals were on the scoreboard first, with another goal by the very hot Alexander Semin, who came into the game with 4 goals, 4 assists and a plus-5 rating. They seemed to be playing their run and gun style of play, which is very unusual against the trap master Devils. At 12:48, New Jersey's rookie left winger Petr Vrana scored his first NHL goal with his very first shot.

Alex Ovechkin skates the puck up the ice.

Brent Johnson did an excellent job in goal for Washington, frustrating the Devils several times. The Caps finally scored on a PP in the second period, something they hadn't done in the previous 115 minutes and 42 seconds of play. After Alex Ovechkin shanked a slapshot, Brooks Laich sent the puck back to Mike Green, who snapped in their only PP goal of the game during the two man advantage.

The next two goals were scored by New Jersey just after the middle of the third period. The first one of those being the Devils only PP goal. With 5:11 left in regulation, Washington knotted the game at 3-3. Defenseman Jeff Schultz collected the puck behind the Caps' net and passed it to defenseman John Erskine. Erskine went coast to coast, sending his shot wide while losing his balance after getting in the offensive zone. Semin banked the puck off a New Jersey defenseman and past Martin Brodeur. It was Semin's second goal of the game, but it wasn't enough to end it.

Zach Parise's Shootout Goal.

Overtime came and went with neither team having any success. Only one guy was able to score in the shootout, and it wasn't a Washington Capital. Zach Parise was first up for the Devils, and the only one able to send the puck into the net.

The Capitals were outshot. They went 1 for 8 on power plays, including a couple 5 on 3's. That makes it a little tough to come out with a win. On the bright side, they did kill off four penalties. Semin's two goal night, gives him a total of 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in five games. He now also holds a plus-6 rating. Brent Johnson made 34 saves on 37 shots, not counting the shootout. Nicklas Backstrom is starting to play much better than in the first couple games of the season.

All October 18, 2008 Photos - Luis M. Alvarez / Associated Press

Capitals Vs Devils 02/29/2008 Review

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Capitals 4 - Devils 0

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The Washington Capitals, along with new goaltender Cristobal Huet and new center Sergei Fedorov, shut out Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. The Capitals seemed to be in control for the entire game. Huet only faced 18 shots, but was solid in net, getting the shutout in his first game with Washington. Fedorov finished his first game as a Cap, with 1 assist and 3 shots. He also won 10 out of 13 faceoffs. The win in this final game of the regular season series vs the Devils brings the record to 2-2.

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This was a quick moving game, especially in the first period. Fedorov did spend 2:00 in the penalty box for a roughing call toward the end of the period. But otherwise, he was amazing. He skates as well and as fast as anybody. Obviously, he doesn't shy away from hitting. Meanwhile, Huet had no trouble stopping all six shots fired his way by New Jersey. Washington only managed four shots on Brodeur, and the period ended 0-0.

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The second period was a little more interesting. Cap's forward David Steckel had a couple good chances early on, but was unable to get the puck into the net. Toward the middle of the period, Huet made a couple excellent saves, including a big one on a Zach Parise breakaway. Washington went on the power play at 10:36, when Andy Greene was called for tripping. Brodeur was able to stop shots by Sergei Fedorov, Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green during the 2:00 man advantage. But, the Cap's got the PP goal at 11:27 on a snapshot from Green. The play started with a perfect no look backward pass from Fedorov to Alexander Semin, who sent the puck over to Green. That would be the only goal of the period. During the last few minutes of the second, both goalies were able to stop all shots. Washington forward Viktor Kozlov took one in the body for a stop as well. The stats were pretty even through two periods, except the Capitals were well ahead in faceoffs.

Just 43 seconds into the third period, Kozlov scored his 13th goal of the season. This time, Nicklas Backstrom left a drop pass for Ovechkin, who sent a cross ice pass to Viktor. Kozlov then roofed a short side wrister, making the score 2-0. At 5:47, the Devil's Patrik Elias high sticked Mike Green. He was awarded a 4:00 double minor for bloodying Mike's nose in the process. The Cap's moved the puck very well during the power play, as they had for the whole game. A frustrated Ovechkin, wasn't able to hit the mark. As they had been doing throughout the game, the Cap's were cycling the puck, forcing Brodeur back and forth in front of his net. Then, defenseman Tom Poti sent a cross ice pass to Semin. Alex's wrist shot went in for his 20th goal on the season. Toward the end of the period, Poti got another assist. He got the puck to Matt Bradley, who passed it to Donald Brashear in the slot. Brashear's top shelf slapper put the Capitals ahead 4-0.

It was Huet's third shutout of the season, and the 16th of his career. Washington made it look easy. It was their second straight win, and their second consecutive four goal game. There wasn't much, if anything you could complain about. Plenty of scoring, fine goaltending, and the defense pretty much kept the Devils toward the outer limits of the Cap's zone. Plenty to smile about. After the game, head coach Bruce Boudreau complimented his players for their efforts. When asked, he said netminder Olie Kolzig would get the start in tomorrow's home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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All Photos - Bill Kostroun / AP

Devils Vs Capitals 02/24/2008 Review

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Devils 2 - Capitals 1 OT

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The Washington Capitals played much better against the New Jersey Devils yesterday than they had against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Good enough to win, in fact. The defense remembered how to keep the front of their own net clear. But, the Devils defense did a fair job guarding their net, and their goaltender did an excellent job on anything that got past them. The Cap's had to settle for the single point that came with the sudden death overtime that ended...well....suddenly.

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The game started off with some rather quick moving, back and forth play. That's not terribly common during a game involving the Devils, but the Cap's kept the puck moving. They got many more shots and scoring chances than New Jersey was able to come up with in the first period. Brent Johnson must have felt a little lonely in front of Washington's net. Meanwhile, at the other end, the Capitals were taking their shots and ringing the post. Netminder Martin Brodeur was stopping everything with his "snow angels". Personally, I refer to his style as "floppin' like a fish". But, whatever works for yuh Marty. Problem is....it does work for him. The best thing that happened in the first was probably the Donald Brashear vs Sheldon Brookbank fight. Sheldon put a late hit on Brash well after he cleared the puck. Apparently, Shelly didn't talk to his brother Wade, who got pummeled by Donald just yesterday. I'm sure he regrets the decision now. The last 1:18 of the period was spent in the Cap's end due to a hooking penalty called on Sami Lepisto. Washington's defenseman, including the incredible Quintin Laing helped Johnson keep the Devils off the scoreboard.

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About five minutes into the second period, we almost got another fight. After Johnson gloved his shot, New Jersey's Travis Zajac continued in toward the goal and poked Brent with the business end of his stick. What would make this guy who had just been released from serving time for a hooking penalty, do such a thing? The Cap's continued to play well, and clueless Devils kept trying to pick fights with Brashear. Dirtball Johnny Oduya tried to take out Alex Ovechkin with a terribly obvious intentional knee on knee collision at the side wall. Ovie was down for a minute, but luckily seemed fine later. There will be no suspension for Oduya, but it sure should be at least reviewed. Both, Brooks Laich and Ovechkin had really good chances on some nice efforts. But, the period would end still scoreless. However, Eric Fehr and Tom Poti were each called for high sticking. So, the end of the period was all played in the Cap's end, with Laing clearing the puck just before time ran out. .

The remaining 40 seconds of a Devils' 5 on 3 power play to start the third period, was enough to get New Jersey on the board first. Just enough, as Jamie Langenbrunner got his first goal in six games with one second of the two man advantage left. Just over two minutes later, Washington's Alex Semin answered back with a backhand goal, assisted by Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Semin now has a five game goal scoring streak. Backstrom's assist gave him his 50th point of this, his rookie season. Ovechkin's assist put him in a tie for the most points so far this season with 82. Ovechkin had a couple drives to the net during the balance of the second, that brought the crowd to it's feet. But, neither team managed to hit the back of the net before the period ended. One of the Devils did manage to hit one of the robotic cameras, which kept the puck from exiting the rink. This should've been a delay of game penalty for New Jersey, but somehow the referees didn't even notice, and play was allowed to continue.

With a 1-1 tie, the game went into overtime. The Capitals continued making good offensive and defensive plays. But, during a split second of casualness by Brent Johnson, New Jersey's John Madden slipped a Patrik Elias rebound between the pads. So, the game ended suddenly, after just 49.6 seconds of OT. The overtime point moves the Cap's up to 5 points behind Southeast Conference leading Carolina, with two more games in hand.

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All Photos - Nick Wass / AP