Red Alert: Points weekend for the Caps
After starring out 0-3 and showing signs of struggling in a new system and lack of effort, the Washington Capitals responded with a three point weekend.
Down 2-0 on Friday night against the New Jersey Devils, the Caps rallied to even the score and force overtime. Though they dropped the decision in OT, at the least, they walked out of New Jersey with 1 point. Despite falling in OT, the Caps had goalie Michal Neuvirth to thank for the point as he played absolutely splendid between the pipes, making some critical saves on pretty bad defensive lapses. Mike Ribeiro and Mike Green tallied for Washington in the third period to lead the Caps to a point pickup.
The Caps picked up their first win of the season. Joel Ward scored his third of the season to tie the game up at 1-1 late in the first period. John Erskine put the Caps up 2-1 in the second period with a bomb from the blue line. Erskine tallied a helper in the overtime loss to New Jersey, so the Caps have a point streak going with Erskine in the lineup. It was also Erskine's first goal since 2011. Alex Ovechkin scored the game winner at the 5:11 mark in the third period. If was Ovi's first of the season and came on the Washington power play. Ovi had a second easy goal with an empty net, but misfired and hit the pipe.
This weekend was all about getting back on track and some great goal tending from Neuvirth. Caps head north to Canada for a two game road trip Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday they will face the Senators in Ottawa and Thursday they head to Toronto.
Of note, Marcus Johansson was a healthy scratch. Bench boss Adam Oates decided it was best for Johansson to take a step back and watch after recording a -5 in the first four games.
Here are your weekend multi-point scorers:
Mike Green: Had 1 goal and 2 assists
Mike Ribeiro: Had 1 goal and 2 assists
Joel Ward: Had 1 goal and 2 assists
Jason Chimera: Had two assists
