Game #2 Recap: Caps 7 Devils 2

The Capitals regained their winning form last night against the Devils. After a back and forth first period the Caps drove All-World goaltender Martin Brodeur to the bench with four goals in the second including an Alex Ovechkin penalty shot goal in the final minute. The third period was all Caps. Jersey backup goalie Johan Hedberg gave Brooks Laich a shorthanded gift with an errant clearing attempt that Laich stashed into an unguarded net. Eric Fehr scored on the power play and the fights were on. All-Stars Mike Green and Ilya Kovalchuk went at it, followed by Matt Hendricks and Rod Pelly, followed by Matt Bradley and David Clarskon. Finally Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond of New Jersey attacked Caps Rookie Marcus Johansson from behind triggering a semi line brawl. Leblond was assessed 19-minutes in penalties and could face a suspension for instigating in the final five minutes of a game. John Carlson was given a game misconduct for jumping in to help the rookie. 
                             

The Caps as a whole came together as team after the first period. The Laich-Fleischmann-Semin line continued to click offensively. They put together another sweet passing play that Flash buried on a one timer from the left wing circle. The Ovechkin line started asserting them selves and Ovechkin scored the eventual game winner on a weaving rust through the New Jersey defense. Jason Chimera got on the score sheet after emerging from the penalty box and firing a long range shot behind Brodeur. However, the performance of John Carlson was inspiring. The rookie began the Caps scoring in the first with a wicked shot that used the Jersey defense as a screen and then assisted on the Caps next two goals. Add in his efforts defending his teammate and the future is bright for this young man. The Capitals next game is at home on Monday against the Ottawa Senators.

Of Note:

• Micheal Nuevirth put in another solid effort in goal for the Caps. He stopped 31 of 33 shots in the win, but the most impressive attribute I see in the young goalie is his ability to stop and freeze the puck. How many times did the Devils shoot the puck and have their momentum stopped dead with Nuevirth holding the puck.
• Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson each picked up 3 points. Tomas Fleischmann and Alexander Semin had 2 each.
• With his goal, Laich moved into a tie with Dianius Zurbus (who played against the Caps last night) for 28th on the Caps All-Time Goal Scoring list.
• Jeff Schultz was +1.
• Mike Knuble picked up an assist on Ovechkin's first goal.
• Ovechkin's penalty shot was the 7th of his career. It was the second time he converted the first was last season against Ray Emery.
• Tom Poti and Mike Knuble wore the "A" for the Caps last night.

Official Recap
Game summary
Event Summary