Capitals Beat Devils 4-3
Thursday’s matchup with the Devils was the Washington Capitals first game in five days. A couple defensive mistakes led to goals for the Devils, but the Capitals were able to respond quickly each time. A late push from the Devils was no match for the Capitals as they hung on for the 4-3 win.
A misplayed puck 83 seconds in from Vitek Vanecek led to the Devils first goal. Washington was able to respond just under two minutes later with a point shot from Dmitry Orlov. The goal was Orlov’s fourth on the season and was assisted by Justin Schultz and Daniel Sprong. Schultz and Sprong each tallied two assists on the night.
Early in the second the Devils scored to take the lead again. Alex Ovechkin responded with a goal of his own, off a feed from Sprong, to tie it 55 seconds later. The goal was Ovechkin’s 15th of the year and 721st of his career. Evgeny Kuznetsov then scored for the Capitals, marking his fourth goal on the year.
In the third, the Devils tied it 11 minutes in. Once again, the Capitals hit right back with a goal of their own. Kuznetsov buried his second of the game 62 seconds later. Although the Devils pushed for a tying goal late, the Capitals were able to hold on. Vitek Vanecek, outside of a couple mistakes, played pretty well. He saved a total of 21 shots on the night.
Washington is now 13-2-1 over their last 16 games. They are one of the hottest teams in the league and sitting in second in the East. The Islanders are currently two points ahead but have played two more games than the Capitals.
The Capitals next game is tomorrow night (3/26) again against the Devils.
