Capitals get revenge on the Devils

The Washington Capitals took care of business in their first road game of the season as they defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-5 in overtime at the Prudential Center.

Erik Haula gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 4:45 in the opening period. Tom Wilson answered off a feed from Connor McMichael at 6:01. Then McMichael gave the Caps the lead at 10:14 with the assists coming from Wilson and Jakob Chychrun.

Alex Ovechkin would then connect for his first goal of the season at 14:18 to give the Caps a 3-1 lead. John Carlson and Dylan Strome assisted there. For Ovechkin it was his 854th of his career to put him 40 away from tying Wayne Gretzky and 41 away from passing the great one.

Nico Hischier pulled the Devils within one at 34 seconds into the second period then tied it 10 seconds later. Andrew Mangiapane would answer at 9:15 off feeds from Trevor van Riemsdyk and Aliaksei Protas. Then Dylan Strome would answer at 12:33 to make it 5-3 off an assist from TvR.

Dawson Mercer made it a 5-4 game at 3:39 in the third period and Dougie Hamilton tied it with a power play goal at 12:28. 5-5 would be the score after regulation but Wilson would win the game in overtime at the four minute mark.

Assised by Strome and Chychrun, Wilson notched his fifth goal of the season. For he rest of the goal scorers Mangiapane got his first while Strome got his third of the season in additon to Ovi getting his first along with McMichael.

Wilson talked about his goal via Mike Vogel of WashCaps.com:

I get into good shooting ice. And you kind of have that body clock a little bit as you're getting closer to the net; you know you can turn and shoot it. I was thinking, 'Wait, and then try to get it over (to Chychrun), and then at the last second, I just wanted to turn and shoot it.

Logan Thompson got the start in goal and while he did have a bad second period still made some timely saves while the Caps offense worked their magic. A formula that lacked a year ago. What a difference a year makes. Thompson finished with 26 saves for an .839 save percentage.

Next up for the Caps is a 6:00 eastern game in Philadelphia against the Flyers this Tuesday which will be the first of a home and home back to back between the two bitter rivals. This contest will air nationally on ESPN and ESPN plus.