Capitals use fast start to defeat Devils

NEWARK, N.J. --The Washington Capitals scored three times in the first period of a 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Saturday.

Five players scored, and John Carlson and Carl Hagelin each had two assists for the Capitals (11-5-4), who are 3-0-1 in their past four games. Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves for Washington, which is 5-1-1 following a four-game losing streak.
"I think we're definitely not satisfied, still," Carlson said. "We still have a lot to learn, a lot to clean up and a lot we can improve on. I think we're confident in our team, but we've got a long way to go."
Nico Hischier had a goal and an assist, Pavel Zacha scored, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves for the Devils (7-7-2), who are 1-4-0 in their past five games.
"We weren't ready to play (in the first period)," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "We weren't ready to compete, we turned a lot of pucks over and looked like we wanted to be a little bit of a fancy team because our wall battles weren't great to start the game. But I thought the last 40 (minutes) ... that's the team I like to see. But totally unacceptable in the first 20."

Garnet Hathaway
scored on a snap shot at the left post to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 3:36 of the first period. Daniel Sprong, who entered the lineup after Evgeny Kuznetsov was ruled out with an upper-body injury, made it 2-0 on a deflection from the slot at 5:06.
"When guys aren't wasting time or energy or thinking too much, that's when we anticipate the play and then you see that work ethic take over in a battle, beating guys to the puck," Hathaway said. "I think that's what creates our offense a lot too."
Lars Eller, who replaced Kuznetsov on the top line, scored to give the Capitals a 3-0 lead at 13:40. Eller scored on a wrist shot from the right circle on a 3-on-1 with Conor Sheary and Alex Ovechkin.
"Today we finally came out with a really good start, we were on our toes, all four lines were going," Eller said. "I'm encouraged by what I've seen here lately, but especially the last two games more so maybe, and then the last five, seven or so."
Hischier scored a power-play goal at the left post after taking a bank pass off the end boards from P.K. Subban at 18:16 to pull the Devils within 3-1.

Zacha made it 3-2 on a snap shot from the slot at 6:09 of the second period to extend his point streak to nine games (four goals, seven assists).
"If you can score you can help the team to win, but it wasn't enough today," Zacha said. "You know, there wasn't enough chances. We lost 5-2, so that's something we have to learn from before tomorrow."
The teams complete the back-to-back set here Sunday.
Jakub Vrana scored to give the Capitals a 4-2 lead with a snap shot from the left face-off circle at 11:49 of the third period. Nic Dowd scored an empty-net goal at 19:06 for the 5-2 final.

"There was a lot we went through with a real short training camp with no exhibition games, a new coach, new system, and everyone figuring out the seats on the bus and how we're going to move forward," said Capitals coach Peter Laviolette, who was hired Sept. 15. "We were dealt with quite a few injuries and the COVID spell (in January) there for a little bit, but I think there's a little less thinking and more reacting now because they know there's an identity that we're picking up on a little bit and at times, it shows."
NOTES:Laviolette had no update on Kuznetsov after the game. ... Ruff had no update on Hischier, who left the game at 15:37 of the third period after getting hit in the mouth with a deflected puck. ... Devils defenseman Will Butcher replaced Ryan Murray (upper body) and had one shot on goal in 17:44 of ice time. … New Jersey did not allow a power-play goal for the first time in six games. ... The Devils play their sixth game in nine days Sunday.