Photo: NHL

The Washington Capitals fell to the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime Thursday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. After both teams registered markers in the first period, the Devils took a 3-2 lead late into the third period before Brett Connolly tied things up, sending the game into extra time. Taylor Hall would score the game winner early in the extra frame. The Capitals return to action Friday night when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM. 

STARTERS
Braden Holtby (24-9-0, 2.66 GAA, .917 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Capitals. Barry Trotz has not stated who will start tomorrow night against the Canadiens.

Keith Kinkaid (6-3-2, 3.10 GAA, .901 sv%) got the start in goal for the Devils.

Andre Burakovsky and Taylor Chorney were the healthy scratches.

This was the Capitals first game back following the team’s annual bye-week.

FIRST PERIOD
The Devils struck first on a break away goal by Drew Stafford at 8:01 of the opening frame. The Devils goal was prefaced by a Capitals turnover just inside the blueline.

The Capitals would tie the score on a goal by Brett Connolly. The Capitals had gone nearly nine minutes without a shot on goal prior to Connolly’s tally. This was Connolly’s 11th goal of the season.

The period would end with the game tied 1-1. Shots on goal were 12-5 in favor of the Devils. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play.

SECOND PERIOD
The Devils would regain the lead early in the second period with a goal by Andy Greene at 3:33 of the middle frame. The Devils would stretch their lead to 3-1 with a goal by Miles Wood at 10:55 of the second period.

Dmitry Orlov would quickly answer with a blast from the left point to close the gap to 3-2 at 11:09 of the second period.

The period would end with the Devils leading 3-2. The Devils outshot the Caps 13-6 for the second period, and led 25-11 after two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals would tie the game late with a goal by Brett Connolly at 16:12 of the final frame. The goal was setup by a beautiful pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Regulation would end with the game tied 3-3. The Devils outshot the Caps 31-19 through three periods of play.

OVERTIME
The Devils would win it quickly in extra time with a break away goal by Taylor Hall.

SHAVINGS

• Brett Connolly has scored four goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. On Jan. 12 against the Hurricanes, Connolly tied it with 3:08 minutes remaining in the game. Tonight, 3:48 minutes remaining.
• The Capitals have earned a point in 14-straight games against the New Jersey Devils. Entered tonight with a 12-0-1 record in the last 13 matchups.
• NHL box score is here.

SCENES FROM JERSEY

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