In Newark, the Washington Capitals potted three goal in the first period and Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves to back up the offense in a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon.
“I think we’re definitely not satisfied, still,” the Caps’ John Carlson (two assists) said. “We still have a lot to learn, a lot to clean up and a lot we can improve on. I think we’re confident in our team, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha were the Devils’ strikers.
“We weren’t ready to play (in the first period),” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. “We weren’t ready to compete; we turned a lot of pucks over and looked like we wanted to be a little bit of a fancy team because our wall battles weren’t great to start the game. But I thought the last 40 (minutes) … that’s the team I like to see. But totally unacceptable in the first 20.”
The Devils are 1-4-0 in their last five.
“If you can score, you can help the team to win but it wasn’t enough today,” Zacha said. “You know, there wasn’t enough chances. We lost 5-2, so that’s something we have to learn from before tomorrow.”
Garnet Hathaway got the Caps off to a quick start and a 1-0 lead in the first period.
“When guys aren’t wasting time or energy or thinking too much, that’s when we anticipate the play and then you see that work ethic take over in a battle, beating guys to the puck,” Hathaway said. “I think that’s what creates our offense a lot too.”
Daniel Sprong and Lars Eller pushed the lead to 3-0 in the opening frame.
“Today, we finally came out with a really good start, we were on our toes, all four lines were going,” Eller said. “I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen here lately, but especially the last two games more so maybe and then the last five, seven or so.”
Jakub Vrana gave the Caps a two-goal lead after the the Devils pulled within 3-2 in the middle frame, his goal midway through the third period gave the Caps a 4-2 advantage.
“There was a lot we went through with a real short training camp with no exhibition games, a new coach, new system, and everyone figuring out the seats on the bus and how we’re going to move forward,” Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette said. “We were dealt with quite a few injuries and the COVID spell (in January) there for a little bit, but I think there’s a little less thinking and more reacting now because they know there’s an identity that we’re picking up on a little bit and at times, it shows.”
Nic Dowd ice the win with an empty-net goal.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves in the loss.
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