Devils Postgame: Second Period Assassins, Body Sacrifice Key in 3-2 Win Over Capitals

It’s not even December yet, and the New Jersey Devils met the Washington Capitals for their third meeting of the season. Only this time, there was the rare occurrence that the Caps were missing their captain, Alexander Ovechkin, due to injury.

Regardless, the Devils and the Capitals played a close game without Ovechkin’s involvement.

Yet it was the Devils who emerged victorious in the Nation’s Capital.

Let’s get to how it happened.

Devils Recap

The Devils controlled the shot differentials early, but it was the Capitals who struck first on a redirected shot by Matt Roy that found its way in the back of New Jersey’s net. However, the Devils struck back quickly as Tomas Tatar pushed the puck sitting over the goal line to tie the game at one before the first intermission.

The Devils did what they do best in the second period, and collected another two goals to strengthen their lead to 3-1. Brenden Dillon netted his first goal of the season at even strength, while Dougie Hamilton added the insurance tally on the power play.

Connor McMichael scored a power play goal early in the third period to cut the score to 3-2. However, the Devils hung on for a tight-knit, one-goal victory over their division rival.

Jake Allen stood strong once again, making 23 saves on 25 shots, collecting his 200th NHL win.

Takeaways

Strike Back

For the second time in as many games, the Devils found themselves chasing a lead. However, as opposed to last season where that might deflate New Jersey, the Devils stayed strong on the puck in both contests and ensured they didn’t play from behind for long.

Less than a minute after Roy gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead, the Devils’ pressure on the puck in the offensive zone saw them go to their second power play. Dougie Hamilton, fighting for puck possession, drew a hooking call on Nic Dowd.

And although the first unit put together strong chances, it was the second unit—specifically Tatar—who evened the score not even three minutes after Washington scored on the initial tally.

New Jersey didn’t strike back quite as quickly on Thursday against Carolina. Regardless, the fact of the matter is this year’s Devils don’t deflate quite like last years, which was one of their biggest weaknesses in 2023-24.

It’s refreshing.

Second Period Assassins

Coming into Saturday night, the Devils owned an incredible 15-5 scoring advantage in the second period on the road.

Overall on the season, they held a positive 29-17 goal differential, and by those metrics, they are the best in the NHL in the middle frame.

That trend continued again on Saturday, as the Devils rang up the Capitals for two goals in the middle frame, whereas Washington couldn’t break through. Both goals came from defenseman, the first when Dillon’s wrister deflected past Lindgren off John Carlson, and then Hamilton’s power play snipe.

The Capitals actually had a bit of push in the middle frame, outshooting the Devils 12-11 and creating 10 scoring chances as opposed to the Devils’ five. Yet, the Devils were able to play more in high-danger areas, whereas the Capitals weren’t able to create secondary scoring chances off their perimeter shots.

Sacrificing the Body

New Jersey held a 3-2 lead with time dwindling on both their gas meter and the clock.

Yet, while playing 6-on-5 with the Capitals’ net empty, the Devils found a way to win in regulation. New Jersey struggled to control the pace of play like they did in the first 40 minutes, during the last 20.

When the Capitals had an extra attacker on the ice in the closing moments, it became even more difficult. Yet, the blocked shot, after shot, after shot against a desperate Washington team, most notably two big blocks from Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier.

It was the kind of necessary sacrifice New Jersey needed to make for their goaltender, as Jake Allen put on a strong performance to maintain the Devils’ lead after they claimed it near the beginning of the second period.

Overall, the Devils ended Saturday’s contest with 28 blocked shots.

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