Money Puck – Natural Stat Trick
The Capitals beat the New Jersey Devils all EIGHT times they played last season, which is surprising when you consider how often the Capitals play down to their opponent. Tonight’s matchup was made even more of a trap game when it was announced earlier today that the Devils’ best player, Jack Hughes, and their starting goaltender were put on injured reserve. But the Devils still have a slew of talent. They have one of the best defensemen in the game with Dougie Hamilton; Cap killer Yegor Sharangovich; young skilled talents like Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, Jesper Bratt; and good vets like Tomas Tatar, Damon Severson, and P.K. Subban. The Devils have a better roster than people think and the Capitals needed to show up ready or they’d be burned.
Plus: The good news is they did not play down. They took a pretty commanding 4-1 win from the Devils. Yes the Capitals won eight times versus the Devils last season, but six of them were one goal games. The Capitals didn’t let it get close this time, thankfully.
Minus: The Capitals’ power play was ugly. As good as they looked offensively at 5v5, they barely got anything going with their two real powerplay chances tonight.
Notes:
Up next for the Caps: the boys in red head home for a one game stand against the Calgary Flames.