Well folks the long wait is over and Capitals hockey is officially back and the #Gr8Chase is also back on! Also, not to mention its Washington’s 50th season opener.
The Capitals got on the board first in their 24/25 season on the power-play via D-man John Carlson on a one-timer from the point to give the Caps a 1-0 lead in the 1st. Pierre-Luc Dubois recorded his first point as a Capital and is now 2 shy of 200 career apples.
The Devils then responded 3 minutes later to notch the game 1-1 by a left circle wrister by Devils rookie Seamus Casey who crashed from the blueline with the Caps D who was puck watching behind the net.
Paul Cotter then gave NJ the lead with a little ticky tac passing to beat Lindgren at the door step.
Then 30 seconds into the 2nd Dylan Strome gets the equalizer off a nice rebound chance where he cleaned up the garbage out front to finish the effort 2-2 ballgame.
Alex Ovechkin got a secondary assist on the Stromer goal and his 1st point of the season and is now two assists away from 700 career apples!
NJ’s Tomas Tatar then gave the Devils the lead. With Hendrix Lapierre draped all over him and even with a cross check Tatar was able to finish the goal, which could have been avoided if Hendrix played physical on him the whole play.
Then in the 3rd Tom Wilson got the Caps back within 1 after a great pass and battle behind the net from McMichael who feed a loosely defended Wilson who ripped it past the Devil’s tendy 3-4.
NJ gets the empty netter to finish the game at 5-3 in their favor.
Capital’s D man 29yr old Matt Roy played only 8 minutes before he left the game with a lower body injury. From what I saw it must have been a non-contact injury because there wasn’t a play that looked like that could have injured him so lets hope its a nothing burger and is a small amount of games missed because as you remember our defensive unit last year was less than stellar. Roy played 81 games for the Kings last season.
Also love the line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Wilson I think that combo could really pay dividends when it comes to points this season which we were in desperate need of and not rely on the Strome line constantly.
Our 3rd line was easily the worst of the night and Carbery ended up benching them they only played 4:22 at 5v5. The line of Milano, Lapierre and Protas were on the ice for 3 of the 5 goals (not ideal).
Not a great game one but remember its GAME ONE, there were some flashes of excitement and this squad looks slightly improved overall compared to last year.
The boys are back in action Tuesday against Vegas in D.C.
The Morning Skate 