In Newark, New Jersey’s Damon Severson struck for a goal in the third period to give the Devils a 3-2 lead they would not hold for the rest of the game to defeat the visiting Washington Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 700th career goal in the loss.
“I almost pulled my hamstring on my goal celebration,” Severson said. “I was pretty fired up. We could have easily just kind of sat back and said, ‘Wow’, after Ovechkin scored 700. Congrats to him, great player, but we got the win and one-upped them, so it was great.”
Mackenzie Blackwood made 33 saves in the win.
“I lost it (Ovechkin’s goal) on someone’s leg (Michal Kempny), but found the puck behind the net and they threw it in front for a one-timer,” Blackwood said. “You try and get as big as you can at that point to challenge, but that’s a pretty good shooter right there … he blasted it.”
Tom Wilson also scored for the Caps.
“I think our compete and our work ethic was there,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. “We need to keep that and keep executing and hopefully turn the tides.”
Wayne Simmonds and Jesper Bratt also scored for New Jersey.
“That one felt really good because there was a lot of energy in the building,” the Devils’Â Kyle Palmieri said. “I think every guy in this locker room competed.
“You try your best to limit [Ovechkin’s] opportunities but he’s a guy whose shot can beat you from pretty much anywhere. There aren’t too many guys who can pull that shot off that he scored on.”
[WATCH: All Capitals vs. Devils highlights]
Ilya Samsonov made 25 saves in the loss.
“I was standing up and then guys were jumping on the ice so I was like, ‘What are we doing here?’ and I think I was the last guy in the pile.” Nicklas Backstrom said. “I wasn’t sure whether we were jumping on or not. Obviously great celebration for [Ovechkin] and for us as a team. We’re super happy for him and he seemed pretty happy too.”
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