Devils 5-3 Capitals (Oct. 12, 2024) Game Recap

WASHINGTON – Paul Cotter scored two goals, giving him four goals in four games this season, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Saturday night.

Capitals star Alex Ovechkin went without a shot for the 23rd time in his outstanding career, despite recording one assist and six goals. Washington's captain began his 20th season with 42 goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894.

Seamus Casey, Tomas Tatar and Dawson Mercer also scored for New Jersey. Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen each provided three assists and Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves.

The Devils (3-1-0) took the tough approach to defending their two-goal lead early in the third period when the Capitals (0-1-0) scored on a slap shot from Tom Wilson 95 seconds into the period scored a goal.

Washington had a chance to tie the game on a power play midway through the period, but Mercer scored an empty-netter with eight seconds left to seal the win.

John Carlson and Dylan Strome each had a goal and an assist for Washington.

Capitals defenseman Matt Roy left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Takeaways

Devils: The offseason optimism for this team appears to be justified, with Cotter getting going and the offense providing good scoring opportunities.

Capitals: More than 70 of the team's alumni were in attendance for the home opener to celebrate the franchise's 50th anniversary, but a raucous, sellout crowd couldn't get the team to a tie goal late.

Key moment

Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren lost his stick and initiated a sequence that led to Cotter's second goal after a 2-on-1 rush by the Devils, giving New Jersey a 4-2 lead heading into the second intermission.

Key statistics

Washington's third-line forwards (Sonny Milano, Hendrix Lapierre and Aliaksei Protas) were on the ice for three goals for New Jersey.

Next

The Capitals continue their three-game homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, while the Devils return home for a Monday matinee against Utah.

——

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl