GAME STORY: Capitals 5, Devils 4

NEWARK, NJ -If one word could best summarize the Devils-Capitals season series, it would be "opportunistic."
It's been a reoccurring theme through all eight games, all eight victories for Washington. In all eight games, the Capitals made the most of their limited number of scoring chances. In all eight games, the Devils, who went 0-6-2, couldn't convert as many as necessary on their ample number of scoring chances.
"It's tough when you're playing well, getting shots, getting momentum, opportunities and one bounce happens or out of position and it's in the back of your net," said defenseman Ryan Murray, who had three assists in the contest. "Then you have to start over and get the momentum back. It was a tough night. Looking at how well we played we expected to win, and it didn't happen."
"Tonight's game was a game that if you break it down, you're looking at scoring six, seven goals inside of a game," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. "But the ability to finish hasn't quite been there. I think our young guys will get that."

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The Devils host the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night. You can watch on MSG+ and listen on the Devils Hockey Network,
including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com.
Game time is 7:08 PM ET.
And when breaking down all eight contests this year, the Devils perhaps played their best in the final installment. New Jersey outskated, out-possessed, out-shot (39-19) and out-chanced the Capitals. But the result was the same as it ever was.
"For us, I thought it was our best game against them," said forward Travis Zajac, who finished with two goals in the game. "We just didn't end up on top. For three periods I thought 5-on-5 we were really good against them. It's unfortunate we didn't get rewarded tonight, but it was a good effort."
Early in the second period the Devils had a 20-6 shot advantage, and trailed 2-1. Six minutes into the third period the Devils had a 32-14 shot advantage, and trailed 5-2.
The Devils' inability to finish on their opportunities was the difference between winning and losing. New Jersey hasn't been able to solve that quagmire all season long, and the result is the result.
"We did so many good things in the game," Ruff said. "Yesterday's practice was focused on offensive intensity, trying to create extra opportunities. I would say tonight that we created the most opportunities that we've had all year. And at the end of the night we didn't win a game.
"You start with your foundation. Our foundation was good. We made a few mistakes, yes, but there was a lot of good stuff inside that game."
One more play for New Jersey and the outcome of at least one of the eight games, seven of which were decided by one goal and two of which went to overtime, would have been different. This had to be the most even eight-game sweep in the history of the NHL.
"I thought every player tried to make a difference in tonight's game," Ruff said. "You can focus on the individual mistakes that cost you the three or four goals, or you can focus on all the great things that our guys did to create probably 30-plus opportunities, dominate the possession game, dominate the chance game. We've lacked some finish, but I personally believe in what we're doing and where we're trying to get to."
Here are some other observations from the game…
* The Devils had to be frustrated against the Capitals. They outworked and outplayed the Capitals for most of the game, and yet watched as Washington built a 5-2 lead five minutes into the third period. But the Devils, as they have all season long, kept attacking.
It would have been understandable if the Devils let their frustration get the best of them. They did everything right, and still weren't being rewarded for their efforts. Instead, they chose to go back to work and chip away at the lead, which they did with two third-period goals.
"There's one thing that we have done and that's we've battled until the end. It's a good character (trait) to have a group," Zajac said. "Credit to the guys. We play until the, but unfortunately we fell short."
The Devils have found themselves on the wrong end of a lot of scores this season. But one thing you can say about this team is that it never quits.
* It's been quite a few weeks for Jack Hughes. The centerman ended his eight-game pointless drought with an assist, but he could have easily finished with 3-5 points in the game.
"I feel so bad for him because he's had so many great chances," Ruff said. "You'll run into streaks like this. He's run into a tough one but I really liked his game. … If he's frustrated it didn't show coming into tonight's game. He gave it everything he had to make a difference, and he had the opportunities, too."
Hughes hit two posts in this afternoon's Easter game and set up Damon Severson for what should have been a tap in goal if not for a highlight-reel glove save from Ilya Samsonov. Hughes made a sick spin-o-rama play to shake Conor Sheary and set up Severson on the play. Hughes has done everything in his power to produce. Right now the hockey gods aren't giving him any breaks.
"You see the chances he's creating, not just for himself but for his teammates," Zajac said. "I don't know what he did to (anger) the hockey gods, but it's just not going for him right now. He just has to keep going because he is getting those opportunities and chances, and that's the main thing.
"You need a bounce in a game and a little luck. He's done everything, but get that bounce. Once he does, I feel like everything is going to open up for him."
* The Devils may have found a diamond in the rough with defenseman Ryan Murray. In the past three games he has six assists and a plus-6, including three helpers today.
He made an outstanding play on the Devils' second goal. Murray, who was paired with Severson for the first time this season, was chasing a puck on the wall in his own zone with Lars Eller right on his heels. Murray, somehow, made a backhand pass across the width of the ice and onto the tape of Yegor Sharangovich. It was a marvelous play that may get overlooked, but it was the direct outlet to the goal.
On New Jersey's first goal, it was again Murray that started the play with a smart read. The Capitals got the puck out of their defensive zone, but didn't get it deep, instead turning it over in the neutral zone. The Capitals then went for an ill-advised line change. The Devils regrouped the puck back to Murray, who saw the Capitals swapping players. Murray quickly head-manned the puck to Nick Merkley to re-enter the zone. Washington's players scrambled to pick up their assignments coming off of the bench and lost Zajac in the fog. Merkley made a nice feed across and Zajac one-timed the shot. But that play starts with a smart read by Murray knowing the Capitals are changing and influx, and attacking quickly.
* Forward Jesper Bratt scored his fourth goal of the season to start the Devils' late charge. He now has nine points (3G-6A) in his last 11 games, and 13 (3G-10A) in his past 17.
* Forward Kyle Palmieri was a healthy scratch in the game for "precautionary reasons," according to the Devils. With the NHL's annual trade deadline being eight days away, it's pretty clear the reason for precaution. Whether or not the team ultimately moves the veteran forward, keeping him out of the lineup is just smart business. The last thing you'd want is for an injury to either scuttle a trade or lessen his value.