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Capitals bounce back with 6-3 win over Devils

By Michael Marzzacco

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19)celebrates after scoring with teammates Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19)celebrates after scoring with teammates Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on December 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals rebounded from a shutout defeat to the Blue Jackets with a huge 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils.

It was a game the Washington Capitals needed to win after their lackluster performance on Monday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Capitals faced early adversity but responded in the best way possible to come away with a big road win to kickoff a weekend back-to-back that will wrap up at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

The Caps began a man down when Jonas Siegenthaler was called for hooking Miles Wood at 2:50. The Devils answered at the four minute mark with a power play tally from Kyle Palmieri for his 14th goal of the season.

Late in the first period the Caps got on the board from who else but Alex Ovechkin. Him and Nicklas Backstrom fittingly connected for the first of two goals in their 900th NHL game together. At 18:25 Backstrom had a give-n-go with Ovechkin with Ovechkin taking a shot from right side long range to tie the game for his 22nd of the season. Tom Wilson was credited with a secondary assist.

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The Caps took the lead with 24.8 seconds left in the first period thanks to Nicklas Backstrom deflecting in a shot for his seventh of the season. John Carlson and Wilson had the helpers. 2-1 was the score after 20 with the Caps having the edge in shots 11-6.

The Devils tied it at 4:15 in the second with Blake Coleman’s 10th of the season. Backstrom came through once again to give the Caps the lead before the second intermission. His goal came at 4-on-4 right in front of the net with 28.9 seconds to go. Dmitry Orlov and Ovechkin had the helpers. 3-2 was the score after 40 with the Caps having the edge in shots 12-11 in the second.

The Caps made it 4-2 42 seconds into the third with Carlson banging home a pass from Michal Kempny in front of the net. Backstrom had the secondary assist. It was Carlson’s 13th goal of the season.

At 6:53, Carlson needed not one but two gloves to congratulate Jonas Siegenthaler for snapping in his second goal of the season on a shot from downtown. Radko Gudas and Nic Dowd had the helpers.

Richard Panik rounded out the Caps scoring at 15:33 with his third goal of the season. Lars Eller and Carl Hagelin had the assists. The Devils got one back from Miles Wood with under a minute left but it wasn’t enough as the Caps hung on for a 6-3 win.

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Ilya Samsonov had a 24-save performance while facing 27 shots for an .889 save percentage. The Caps had 29 shots in the contest and looked much more alive than they were Monday night. They’ll look to continue their momentum on Saturday night against the Lightning.

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