The New Jersey Devils scored twice in the first period to lead the Washington Capitals 2-0 in their NHL regular season matchup at Capital One Arena. Goals came from Luke Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk, putting the Devils ahead early.
Game Overview
The New Jersey Devils, with a record of 12-4-1, faced off against the Washington Capitals, standing at 8-8-1, in a regular season NHL game. At the end of the first period, the Devils held a 2-0 advantage, showcasing strong offensive play and solid goaltending.
Key Scoring Plays
- At 17:46, Luke Hughes scored his first goal of the game, assisted by Brenden Dillon (5th assist) and Jesper Bratt (12th assist), making it 1-0 for New Jersey.
- Earlier at 05:05, Arseny Gritsyuk netted a power-play goal, his 4th of the season, with assists from Luke Hughes (10th assist) and Paul Cotter (2nd assist), extending the lead to 2-0.
Goaltending Stats
Devils' goaltender recorded 12 saves, while the Capitals' netminder made 8 saves in the period. The game betting line listed New Jersey as -2.5 favorites with an over/under of 6.5.
Upcoming Schedule
Both teams have busy slates ahead, including the Capitals facing the Kings, Oilers, Canadiens, Lightning, and Blue Jackets, while the Devils prepare for matchups against the Lightning, Panthers, Flyers, Red Wings, and Blues, many broadcast on ESPN+ or NHLN.
This early lead positions the Devils favorably in a competitive Eastern Conference tilt.