Caps snap out of it, beat Devils 3-1

If the first period was any indication, it was looking more and more like the Washington Capitals were going to drop their third consecutive game.   The Caps were out worked and out played.  New Jersey dominated puck possession time and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.  The Devils tally came from first round pick Adam Larsson, his first NHL career goal at the 13:06 mark.

In the second period, the Caps played a little more up temp, but despite several decent scoring opportunities, were having difficulty getting to Martin Brodeur.  The Capitals finally got their break at the 17:33 mark on a long slapper off the stick of Dennis Wideman that bounced off the leg of Alex Ovechkin, who stood in front, to the right of Brodeur.  Ovechkin buried it for an easy layup goal, his 7th of the season.   The Ovechkin goal was assisted by Wideman and Nicklas Backstrom, extending Backstrom's point streak to six consecutive games.   The Caps took the 1-1 tie into the second intermission.  Caps and Devils knotted up shots on net in the second, 10-10.

The Capitals game winning goal came in the third period, a short handed marker from Jason Chimera, his fifth goal of the year and the Caps first short handed goal of the season.   Troy Brouwer and John Erskine added assists.   The nail in the Devils coffin came from Marcus Johnansson, who continues to find success close tot he net.  It was Johansson's 6th goal of the season and was assisted by Karl Alzner.

Although the Caps welcome Mike Green back to the lineup, it only lasted one period.  Green went down on an odd hit, that seem to re-aggravate his ankle.   Green only logged 7:44 before he left the game.  Alexander Semin was benched the final 24 minutes by HC Bruce Boudreau.  Boudreau said post game, that after coaching Semin for four year, he just felt he was not on his game tonight.  It was the first time Boudreau sat Semin for any extended period of time.   Semin committed another hooking minor time, giving him the team lead in penalties.  He skated 8:44 minutes before being moved down the bench.

Tomas Vokoun put up a stellar performance in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots and stifling several excellent scoring opportunities for the Devils.  The win improved Vokoun to 8-2 on the season.

Ice Team Leaders:

Dennis Wideman (27:11), John Carlson (23:32), Karl Alzner (22:14)

Multi-Point Scorers:

None

Player(s) of the Game:

Tomas Vokoun (stopped 32 of 33 shots) and Jason Chimera, scoring the game winner and the Caps first short handed goal