The New Jersey Devils secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals, marking their second win of the season against their Metropolitan Division rivals. Tomas Tatar, Brenden Dillon, and Dougie Hamilton provided the goals for New Jersey, while Jake Allen made 23 saves to notch his 200th NHL win. Despite facing intense pressure from the Capitals, the Devils relied on defensive composure and key moments of offensive execution to improve their record to 14-7-2.
The game began with Washington taking the lead late in the first period when Matt Roy’s shot deflected off Nolan Foote’s glove and past Allen. However, New Jersey responded just minutes later with a power play goal. A brilliant setup from Luke Hughes to Erik Haula led to Tatar finishing off the play to tie the game 1-1. This quick response showcased the Devils’ resilience in the face of early adversity.
In the second period, Brenden Dillon scored his first goal as a Devil, giving New Jersey a 2-1 lead. Paul Cotter’s net-front presence and a fortunate deflection off John Carlson’s stick played pivotal roles in the goal. Throughout the period, the Capitals ramped up their offensive efforts, but the Devils stayed disciplined, withstanding sustained pressure and even engaging in physical play, including a fight involving Jonathan Kovacevic.
Dougie Hamilton extended the Devils’ lead to 3-1 with a power play goal late in the second period. His high shot past Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren was a product of a clean faceoff win and quick puck movement. Despite Washington’s strong penalty-killing record, New Jersey’s power play units delivered, further highlighting their effectiveness in special teams situations.
The Capitals narrowed the margin to 3-2 early in the third period with a power play goal from Connor McMichael, but the Devils held firm. Jake Allen made a crucial save on McMichael in the dying minutes, and key blocked shots by Dawson Mercer and Nico Hischier ensured New Jersey’s victory. The team’s collective defensive effort was instrumental in weathering Washington’s final push.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe praised his team’s defensive discipline and willingness to sacrifice for the win, as exemplified by 28 blocked shots. Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler led the effort, helping limit the Capitals to just 25 shots on goal despite their aggressive play. Keefe emphasized that such gritty performances are essential in tight divisional matchups.
The Devils have now shown they can compete against some of the NHL’s top teams, building confidence and momentum. They’ll look to carry this form into their upcoming home games at the Prudential Center, starting with a Monday night clash against the Nashville Predators. This stretch of strong defensive play and timely scoring has been critical to their recent success.
