Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the New Jersey Devils in overtime, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at Capital One Arena. The loss moves the Capitals’ record to 20-6-8 (48 points) on the season.
The Devils opened the scoring with a pair of tallies midway through the opening frame, but the Capitals would answer with a snipe from John Carlson in the last minute of the period fora 2-1 Devils lead at the first intermission.
Not much changed for the hosts after 40 minutes, with the Devils adding an early goal in the second period by Nico Hischier to make the score 3-1. Despite a power play during the period, the Capitals were unable to cut the deficit in half, and headed into the second intermission down by two goals.
The third period was largely quiet scoring and excitement-wise for the majority of 20 minutes, with neither team denting the twine nor receiving a power play of which to speak. The Caps’ deficit was cut in half with 6:38 left on the clock, as Nic Dowd scored his fifth goal of the season to make the score 3-2. Conor Sheary would tie the game at three apiece on a mishandled pass by New Jersey goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. With neither team able to find the back of the net before the final regulation second, the two clubs headed to overtime.
Nico Hischier scored his second goal of the game at the 2:56 mark of the extra frame to secure a 4-3 victory for the visitors.
The two teams combined for 67 shots (37 for the Devils, 30 for the Caps) and each failed to convert on their single power play opportunities. New Jersey held the faceoff win advantage, winning 53% to the Caps’ 47%.
STATS
STARTERS
Ilya Samsonov (13-2-0-2, 2.57 GAA, .909 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Capitals. Mackenzie Balckwood (7-6-o-3, 3.24 GAA, .897 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Devils. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Capitals:
FIRST PERIOD
The Devils opened the scoring with a tally from Yegor Sharangovich (7) at 7:15 of the opening frame. Jack Hughes and PK Subban had the helpers.
Goals in three straight games for Yegor Sharangovich. Clearly looks to be in a position to succeed on a line with Hughes and Bratt #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/E3P78ibHIp
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 2, 2022
They would quickly make it 2-0 with a goal from Damon Severson (4) at 8:29 of the opening stanza. Dawson Mercer (10) and Janne Kuokkanen (3) had the assists.
That’s quite the royal road pass from Mercer to Severson.
Severson shoots quickly, giving the Capitals’ goalie little time to react and move laterally. 2-0 #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/MN2blvrvSj
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 2, 2022
The Capitals would finally get on the board with a 4-on-4 tally from John Carlson (x) at 19:13 of the first frame. Mike Sgarbossa (2) and Dmitry Orlov (13) had the assists.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss this John Carlson goal. pic.twitter.com/vhtdy7Ixvt
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 2, 2022
The period would end with the Capitals trailing 2-1. Washington led in shots 13-12 in the first period. There were no power plays in the opening frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals found themselves down by two goals early in the second, as Nico Hischier notched his fifth goal of the season on assists from Severson and former Capitals defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.
Tip of the Cap. pic.twitter.com/h9p4gK0Hm6
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 2, 2022
Things would get test midway through the period when Devils defenseman P.K. Subban took exception to a hit from Caps center Nic Dowd, dropping the gloves and receiving an extra roughing call in the process; the Capitals failed to convert on the ensuing man-advantage.
The two clubs would end the second frame with the Devils leading on the scoreboard 3-1 and shots, 24-18.
THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals and Devils went largely uneventful through much of the third period, with neither team able to add to their tallies on the scoreboard. With just over six and a half left on the clock, Nic Dowd scored his fifth goal of the season to cut the lead to one; Garnet Hathaway and Trevor van Riemsdyk recorded assists on the play.
NEVER DOWD THIS MAN! pic.twitter.com/FtZmpbvpuc
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 2, 2022
Just over three minutes later, Conor Sheary would knot the game at 3-3, on a miscue by New Jersey netminder Mackenzie Blackwood; Lars Eller recorded the assist on the play.
Tie. Freaking. Game. pic.twitter.com/DqEnQgoABZ
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 2, 2022
With neither team able to move ahead in regulation, the two teams headed to overtime. The shots were 34-30, New Jersey.
OVERTIME
The overtime period saw both teams trade chances before Nico Hischier notched his second goal of the game to secure the victory for the Devils.
SHAVINGS
- Capitals activated Michael Sgarbossa from the taxi squad and assign Lucas Johansen to the taxi squad. In addition, #Caps place Justin Schultz, Daniel Sprong and Nick Jensen on the active roster.
- Conor Sheary scored his eighth goal of the season at the 16:13 mark of the third period; seven of Sheary’s 16 points this season have come in the final 10 minutes of regulation, per the Capitals
- Lars Eller recorded his seventh point in his past eight games with an assist on Sheary’s goal
- John Carlson’s goal marked the Capitals’ first 4-on-4 goal this season
SCENES FROM CAPITAL ONE ARENA
so. much. cuteness!!!#CapsDads pic.twitter.com/BwBvrDZwbu
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 2, 2022
What is wrong with this team that they cannot get it together in OT? turnovers, lack of deense and really bad passing huirts them everytime. Is this an age thing? Or are they just satisfied with getting a point and not taking a loss? I can understand not winning them all but you would expect they woydl win 1/2. Same with the PP and IMHO the league gave Ovie and the team a gift by saying that goal was on the PP not at full streangth.