Devils 3, Caps 2
The Caps faltered again in the third period on Monday night. It is the fourth time in a row they have had the lead or been tied in the final period only to come away with four losses – albeit one in overtime and one in a shootout. Washington certainly looked better against New Jersey, building on a nice game at Detroit on Saturday. But finishing opponents has become a problem. The Caps failed to convert on three power plays in the third period and never extended a 2-1 lead. It’s hard to complain too much about the power play, of course. This group will carry the Caps for much of the season. But still – the chances were there and they didn’t convert and the Devils were resourceful enough to pull even and then grab the extra point.
“Third periods are where good teams become great teams, where they win those games no matter what,” said Caps captain Chris Clark. “It’s automatic. For us to be a great team we’ve got to get to that point. I don’t know how many games now we’ve been leading going into the third period. Even the games we’ve won we’ve let up goals in the third period. It’s not something that I think is an issue, but it’s something where [if] we want to become one of the best teams in the league. We have to make sure we keep that lead [in the third].”
Don’t put much blame on goalie Jose Theodore. He made a pair of jaw-dropping saves on Devils F Zach Parise during the 4-on-3 power play in overtime. The first was a diving stop with his stick. The second attempt by Parise hit Theodore’s glove or midsection. He was then so flustered he fired another wide-open shot way over the net. Theodore’s job status was questionable coming into camp thanks to last year’s postseason struggles. But Caps coach Bruce Boudreau named him the No. 1 starter ahead of rookie Semyon Varlamov anyway and Theodore has repaid the favor. He has a .930 save percentage in four starts so far (107 saves, eight goals against)
Martin Brodeur was excellent himself, however. He finished with 31 saves and kept New Jersey close when the Caps were trying to extend a 2-0 lead.
“He kept us a little bit alive” said Devils F Nicklas Bergfors. Future Hall-of-Famers usually do. Up next for the Caps: A home game with the always entertaining San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.
