Photo: Getty Images

After dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, the Capitals will look to get back on the winning track over the weekend.  The Capitals (2-1-1) will head to Newark to face the (3-0-0) New Jersey Devils on Friday night to begin a 2-game road trip.  Puck drop is at 7 PM ET on NBC Sports Washington.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

The Devils are off to a hot start to their season.  They have scored 16 goals in their first 3 games.  The Devils are coming off an impressive 6-3 road win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  In the game against Toronto, the Devils scored their first 3-on-5 shorthanded goal in franchise history, courtesy of forward Brian Gibbons.

While most of the talk around New Jersey today is about Nico Hischier, the Devils are getting some early contributions from some of their other younger players.  Forward Jesper Bratt, 19, has 6 points in his first 3 games.  Bratt was a 6^th round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.  Defenseman Will Butcher, who signed as a free agent this summer, also has recorded 5 assists in the first 3 games.

Capitals fans will get to see a familiar face when the club faces off with the Devils.  Marcus Johansson, 27, spent 7 seasons in Washington before he was traded during the summer for draft picks.

The Devils have gotten younger, quicker, and more skilled.  John Hynes has his team playing at all cylinders right now, and they should be improved from last season.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Capitals were sloppy at the beginning of the game against the Penguins, and took too many penalties throughout the game.  The Capitals were outshot by the Penguins in every period in the game on Wednesday night.  The Capitals have some things to clean up, but there were some bright spots in the game for the club.

Christian Djoos scored a goal in his first career NHL game, and finished the game with 2 points.  Alex Ovechkin scored his 8^th goal of the season, and is still off to a hot start.  Braden Holtby played an outstanding game against Pittsburgh, as he made 33 saves in the contest and kept the game very close.

There will be good news for the Capitals as they face their doubleheader this weekend.  The Capitals will get Tom Wilson back from his 4-game suspension.  He is expected to slot into the lineup on the 3^rd line, with Lars Eller and Brett Connolly.

Trotz confirmed that Wilson will return to the third line with Connolly and Eller. Likely means Chiasson joins Beagle and DSP. #Caps

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) October 12, 2017

A LOOK BACK IN TIME

The Capitals and Devils faced off twice in the preseason.  The Devils took both matchups 4-1.  Here is highlights from the loss on September 27:

ICE SHAVINGS

Here is Tom Wilson on his return to the Capitals lineup:

Tom Wilson talks about returning to the #Caps‘ lineup Friday vs. the #Devils. pic.twitter.com/FsOB3GhAWD

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) October 12, 2017

By: George Foussekis