Capitals start slow and flame out to Devils

The Washington Capitals fell to the New Jersey Devils by a final of 6-3 at Capital One Arena. Fresh off a thrilling 4-3 win the night before in the Steel City over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Capitals won that game thanks to their best start to the game in a season.

But on Wednesday night it wasn't their worst start to the season but a bad start nonetheless that did them in. They played much better the middle of the game before flaming out at the end. Can't win em all as they say. But there was a postive as the Caps played their first game with summer acquistion Max Pacioretty.

Nico HIschier struck twice in the early going for the Devils at 3:03 at even strength and again at 9:50 on the power play.

At 18:38 on the power play, the Caps got on the board with a wicked shot from Connor McMichael for his seventh of the season. Rasmus Sandin, an underrated guy to add to fantasy, as well as Anthony Mantha had the assists.

2-1 Devils was the score after one as the Caps outshot the Devils 9-8.

At 8:08 the Devils made it 3-1 with a goal from Dawson Mercer. A snipe from Evgeny Kuznetsov for his sixth goal of the season made it a one goal game at 11:25. Alex Ovechkin and Martin Fehervary had the assists.

The Caps tied the game at 18:58 on the power play after Colin Miller tripped Tom Wilson. It came on a slap shot from downtown by John Carlson for his second goal of the season. Kuznetsov and Ovechkin had the apples.

The Devils retook the lead with 16 seconds to go in the second period on a goal from Michael McLeod. The Devils led 4-3 after two and 12-10 in shots in the second period.

The Devils added to their lead to make it 5-3 in the third at 7:16 with Mercer's second goal of the game. Then McLeod added his second of the night at 15:35.

The Devils led in shots 8-7 in the third period and 28-26 overall. Hunter Shepard got the nod in goal and made 22 saves. The Caps are back in action on Friday night on home ice against the Carolina Hurricanes.