Caps 2, Devils 1
Goals from Alex Ovechkin and Matt Bradley – that one a bit of a fluke – staked the Caps to yet another 2-0 lead over New Jersey in the first period. But Washington has blown the first two games they did that against the Devils this season. This time they gave up a late goal to Rod Pelley – a softy by rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth – and then took a penalty. Devils will have a little over a minute to start the second period and try to tie this one up. Caps gave away the momentum with shaky shifts late
Still up 2-1, though. Ovechkin scored goal No. 25 on a faceoff win by Nicklas Backstrom. That was Backstrom’s 200th career point. Thanks to Caps media: Eleven NHL players have 200 points since start of 2007-08 season. No one else from Backstrom’s 2006 draft class has even reached 150 points yet. Devils forward Zach Parise needs one point to join Backstrom.
Ovechkin recorded his first goal against New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur since Dec. 28, 2005 – his rookie season. That’s his third career goal against the NHL’s all-time shutout leader (104). Bradley’s career best in goals was nine as a rookie with San Jose in 2001-02. This ties his best season since then with seven now. His shot deflected and then popped into the air towards Brodeur, who reached for it only to see the puck deflect off his glove and behind him into the net. Pelley’s late goal came off a scramble when a clearing attempt flipped high into the air. Neuvirth wasn’t ready for the shot and it slipped between his pads. We’ll see what the Devils do with the power play to start the second.
