Samsonov helps Capitals defeat Devils in return from COVID-19 protocol

NEWARK, N.J. -- Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves in his first game for the Washington Capitals since coming off the NHL COVID-19 protocol list, a 3-2 win against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Sunday.

Samsonov entered COVID-19 protocol Jan. 20 and returned to practice Feb. 8. He missed 17 games since he last played Jan. 17 in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I think for him it was a very important game mentally," Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin said. "We tried to do our best blocking shots and play smart in the defensive zone. For a kid who didn't play lots of games, to get a start right away and get a win, it's very important. We're all happy for him."
Jakub Vrana had a goal and an assist, and Tom Wilson had two assists for the Capitals (12-5-4), who are 4-0-1 in their past five games and 6-1-1 following a four-game losing streak.

Washington swept back-to-back games after winning 5-2 against New Jersey on Saturday.
"We're still in a learning process," Ovechkin said. "It's very important for us to have a very good start and play the same way all 60 minutes. [On Saturday], we had the best start of the year (with three goals in the first period) and then we stopped playing and gave them a chance to breathe, but a win is a win."
Mikhail Maltsev and Yegor Sharangovich each scored, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves for the Devils (7-8-2), who are 1-5-0 in their past six games.
"The results aren't there for us right now but we're going to try to continue to grow as a team, as individuals, and I think right now that's the outlook you have to have," New Jersey forward Kyle Palmieri said. "We're trying to build our game into something that we're going to give ourselves a chance to win."

Ovechkin scored the game-winner in the second period to move within five goals of passing Phil Esposito for sixth in NHL history. Ovechkin has 713 goals; Esposito has 717.
He gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead on a shot from the high slot at 13:37 of the second period. He needs five points to become the 35th player in NHL history to reach 1,300.
Maltsev, who entered the lineup after Nico Hischier was ruled out after taking a puck to his helmet and visor Saturday, gave the Devils a 1-0 lead on a wrist shot from the top of the right face-off circle at 6:45 of the first period. Pavel Zacha had an assist on the goal to extend his point streak to 10 games (four goals, eight assists), the longest active streak in the NHL.
Vrana tied it 1-1 on his own rebound after getting behind the Devils defense at 15:39.
Nicklas Backstrom gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead on a snap shot off a 2-on-1 with Wilson at 2:32 of the second period.

Sharangovich scored 48 seconds later on a wrist shot from the right face-off circle to tie the game 2-2 at 3:20.
The Devils almost tied the game with two seconds remaining in the third period and Blackwood pulled for an extra attacker, but Palmieri's attempt hit Capitals defenseman John Carlson in the back.
"I've got to do a better job; that's the game on my stick," Palmieri said. "Every season is going to have its ups and downs, successes and failures and, right now, maybe more failures than we would have liked. But that one's on me. I have a chance to tie the game up there in the final seconds."

Samsonov made the save on Will Butcher at 19:01 and against Zacha at 19:57 after Blackwood was pulled.
"As the game moved on, I thought he looked more comfortable," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "I thought he got stronger as the game went on, and when it's 3-2 and the game's hanging in the balance, I actually thought that was when he was at his best."
NOTES:Devils coach Lindy Ruff said Miles Wood should be fine after the forward left with 32 seconds remaining in the third period after getting hit with the puck on the side of his head on a clearing attempt by Zdeno Chara. … Ovechkin's goal was his 362nd on the road to tie Steve Yzerman for second behind Wayne Gretzky (402) in NHL history. It was also his 246th go-ahead goal in the regular season to move into third place behind Brett Hull (264) and Jaromir Jagr (262). … The Capitals had one shot on goal in the third period, and the Devils had four.