Paul Cotter's two goals helped New Jersey pick up two points in the Nation's Capital
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite a slower start in which the Capitals scored first, the Devils bounced back and pulled off a 5-3 win. Paul Cotter’s two goals led New Jersey while Stefan Noesen and Erik Haula each had three assists. Seamus Casey, Tomas Tatar, and Dawson Mercer (empty net) each had a goal in the win.
“I thought our guys played hard,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the win. “I liked our response each time we got scored on. It could have been momentum changing or game changing type of moments in the game, especially on the road, but just stayed with it. I thought we did a lot of really good things.”
John Carlson opened the scoring with his power play goal 10:48 into the game. The Capitals won the faceoff, moved the puck around and found the veteran blue liner who capitalized. Tom Wilson was net front screening to help his teammate beat Markstrom.
Seamus Casey tied the game at 1-1 three and a half minutes later with another great play. Casey’s second career NHL goal looked similar to his first as a toe drag created a lane and the blue liner’s quick release helped him get past Lindgren.
“He’s got a lot of confidence in his ability on offense,” Keefe said on Casey’s goal. “That’s why we trust him in those situations, power play, and such. That’s a big goal for us to get us going like that. He shows that he has that ability, that’s two now. It’s essentially the same kind of move to get into that space but he mixes up the shots to different areas of the net, so big goal, big moment for us.”
A tic-tac-toe play with Haula, Noesen, and Cotter helped the Devils take a 2-1 lead with 3:36 left in the opening frame. After Cotter entered the zone he dished it to Haula who then passed it across to Noesen. Noesen saw Cotter driving in and fed it to his linemate who redirected it past Lindgren.
The Capitals came out firing in the second period and Dylan Strome capitalized on rebound down low to tie the game 2-2. However, three and a half minutes later, Tomas Tatar’s shot off his own rebound gave the Devils back their lead, this time 3-2. Tatar was falling while he executed the play. Credit also to Noesen who’s strong play behind the net set up Tatar.
In the final seven minutes of the second period, Noesen showed off his playmaking abilities again. He jumped on a loose puck, drove to the net, saw Cotter open and dished it to his linemate. From there, Cotter’s strong shot streaked past Lindgren to give the Devils a 4-2 lead.
A minute and a half into the third period, Wilson scored on a feed from Connor McMichael to bring the game within one. It was the second straight period in which Washington was able to score in the opening two minutes.
The Capitals pulled their goalie with 1:31 left in regulation to try to get the game tying goal; however, big saves from Jacob Markstrom helped New Jersey hold on and Mercer’s empty net goal with 7.9 seconds left sealed the win. With the victory, the Devils improve to 3-1-0 and quickly rebound from Thursday’s loss.
Here are some observations from the game:
•Stefan Noesen unleashed the playmaking side of his game against the Capitals. His three primary assists were a career-high for the forward. Noesen was strong with his play behind the net and was a big part of the Devils success against Washington.
“Just the fact that he made plays,” Keefe said on Noesen’s playmaking. “He had opportunities to make plays and he did. That whole line was really good, Haula was good in the faceoff circle, Noesen played real hard. Whenever those guys were called upon, whatever the game presented, they made the play.”
•Speaking of career-highs, Erik Haula’s three assists tied a career-high for the forward. The line change to reunite Cotter, Noesen, and Haula paid off and allowed each to pick up points against the Capitals.
•Jacob Markstrom got the start as Keefe wanted to give his netminder the opportunity to get right back at it after a loss on Thursday night. Markstrom finished the night with 28 saves on 31 shots.
•When it came to special teams, the Devils were unable to score on any of their four power-play opportunities and the Devils penalty kill allowed one power play goal through three penalties.
“Just the individuals, they got to make plays,” Keefe said on the power play. “They got to find their way through pressure. They got to make some plays. We got to give it some time but to me it’s not structure based, it’s not personnel based, you have a lot of talent on that ice, those guys gotta find their way.”
The Devils return home for a 1 p.m. game Monday against the Utah Hockey Club before they head back out on the road for a two-game trip.
