Caps crush Devils 7-2
The Washington Capitals took out the 4-2 frustrating loss in the season opener out on the New Jersey Devils, winning their home opener, 7-2. Caps fans even got to see their first Mike Green fight, coming at the 4:17 mark of the third period against New Jersey's Ilya Kovolchuk.
New Jersey started out the scoring just 1:49 into the game on a Jason Arnott goal. The Caps would equalize less than a minute later from a booming, powerful shot from rookie D John Carlson. It was Carlson's first of he season and first point on a three point night. The goal was unassisted. Henrik Tallinder gave the Devils a 2-1 lead to end the first period.
Caps had a big second period, tallying four unanswered goals. It didn't take the Capitals long to even it up in the second period when Tomas Fleischmann took a nifty pass from Alexander Semin from behind the net to sink it fir his first of the season. Great 8 Alexander Ovechkin scored his first of the season on a signature Ovechkin shot across the middle to give their first lead at 3-2. The Ovechkin goal was assisted by Mike Knuble and Carlson. Carlson had a goal and two assist on the night. At the 18:25 mark, Fleischmann found a wide open Jason Chimera exiting the penalty box and Chimera sped forward and flat out beat Marty Brodeur to give the Caps a 4-2 lead. They weren't done. A little over a minute later, Ovechkin took breakaway and was tripped up for a penalty shot opportunity. Previous to this shot, Ovechkin was 1-6 on penalty shot opportunities. Ovechkin nailed the penalty shot, going up and over Brodeur's left shoulder for his second goal of the game. Ovechkin had a three point night as well, adding an assist. Caps went into the second intermission with a 5-2 lead.
Brooks Laich scored his second goal on a short handed flub by backup goalie Hedberg, who passed the puck back to Laich and Laich had the empty net. Eric Fehr added the final goal at the 10:27 mark tot the right of Hedberg to give the Caps the 7-2 lead.
That is where it ended, an impressive home opening win for the Caps. Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 of 33 shots for the win.
