In a different sort of game the Capitals come out on the good end of a 3-0 score. The Caps were thoroughly outplayed for the first half of the game. The Caps only had 3 shots on goal through the first 30 minutes of play but one of those shots was Jeff Schultz's first period point blast that beat All-World goalie Martin Brodeur for a 1-0 score. For Schultz it was his first goal of the season. The Caps added some insurance near the end of the second period when Alex Ovechkin found John Carlson sneaking in from the right point. Carlson faked a slap shot and passed the puck to Mike Knuble who was posted at the left side of the crease and he redirected the pass into the net for a 2-0 lead. The Devils clearly looked demoralized following that goal but were given life when Matt Hendricks was assessed a 4-minute high sticking penalty. The Caps hung strong and killed off the extended power play and never looked back. In the third period the Caps added one more goal to seal the victory when Alex Ovechkin faked a shot and found Mike Knuble on the right wing. Knuble connected on his second goal of the game. In the Washington net Michal Neuvirth stood on his head and stopped 33 shots for the shutout victory. The Caps now get a bit of a break before heading to Philly for a game on Tuesday.
Of Note:
Michal Neuvirth was the game's #1 Star with his 4th shutout of the season.
Mike Knuble had a three point night with two goals and an assist on the Jeff Schultz goal.
It was the first career game-winning goal for Schultz who hadn't dented the twine since February of 2010.
The Caps stopped all 4 New Jersey power play but drew no penalties against the Devils. This was the second time this season that Washington failed to have at least 1 power play.
Alex Ovechkin had a two assist performance but was held without a shot on goal for only the 4th time in 469 games.
Washington recorded only 12 shots on goal in the game led by Knuble's 4 shots and Schultz's 2. No one else had more than one.
John Carlson had two assists and Dennis Wideman had one.
Marcus Johansson, Ovechkin and Knuble were all +3 for the game.
For the Capitals the 3 goal mark is very telling. The team has scored 3 or more goals in 38 games this season. In those games the Caps have a record of 35-0-3.
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