Capitals drop season opener to Devils
It was still a celebration that extended for a while after the game was supposed to start
The Washington Capitals put out one of if not their best pregame introductions in a while as they not only Rocked the Red carpet but brought back so many alumni to celebrate 50 years of Caps hockey.
John Carlson would set the building alive with a power play goal at 10:48 on a slapshot from the point. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Dylan Strome had the assists.
Seamus Casey tied it for the Devils at 13:42 and Paul Cotter made it 2-1 them at 16:24. Dylan Strome tied the game 32 seconds into the second period on a nice rebound in front of the net. Carlson and Alex Ovechkin had the assist there.
Tomas Tatar would answer and give the Devils the lead for good at 3:56. Cotter would notch his second goal of the night at 13:38 and it was 4-2 Devils after two. Before we get to the third the Caps were outshot 33-32 and the Caps power play went one for three thanks to the Carlson goal.
If there was any positive in the loss the Caps penalty kill did work by killing off all four Devils power plays which is impressive considering many pundits said the Devils are the most improved team in the Metropolitan Division.
Tom Wilson made it a 4-3 game at 1:35 off a feed from Connor McMichael. Dawson Mercer put the game away with an empty net goal and the Devils would improve to 3-1-0 on the season. In badder news than a loss the Caps were also down a defenseman as Matt Roy suffered a lower body injury mid game.
"We were generating enough (offensively), we just made some real costly mistakes."
Charlie Lindgren finished with 28 saves while Ovechkin had a game high seven hits but didn't get credited with a shot on goal. Though he did have an assist and is two away from 700 in that department.
Next up for the Capitals is the Vegas Golden Knights this upcoming Tuesday. Another challenge for the Caps coming at them fast.
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