Tomas Tatar recorded a goal and an assist, helping the New Jersey Devils secure a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.
Brenden Dillon and Dougie Hamilton also scored for the Devils, who entered the game tied with Carolina for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Jake Allen made 23 saves, including a crucial glove stop on Connor McMichael in the final minutes, to earn his fifth win of the season (5-2-1).
Matt Roy and McMichael scored for the Capitals, who have now dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. Adjusting to life without captain Alex Ovechkin, Washington struggled offensively. Charlie Lindgren made 30 saves in the loss, falling to 5-5-0.
Takeaways
Devils: New Jersey’s power play continues to shine, going 2 for 5 on the night. The Devils now have seven power-play goals across their last four games and rank second in the NHL with a 31.4% conversion rate.
Capitals: The absence of Ovechkin has highlighted the team’s offensive struggles. After scoring three or more goals in five straight games, Washington has managed just three total goals in its last two outings.
Key Moment
Dougie Hamilton’s power-play goal late in the second period proved decisive. With just seconds left on the man advantage, Hamilton blasted a shot from the point off a face-off win to beat Lindgren, giving the Devils a 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Key Stat
Jesper Bratt picked up an assist on Hamilton’s goal, bringing his season total to 28 points. Bratt now has points in four of his last five games, tallying nine points during that span, and is tied for seventh in the NHL scoring race.
Up Next
- Devils: Host the Nashville Predators on Monday.
- Capitals: Visit the Florida Panthers on Tuesday to begin a two-game road trip.
