David Clarkson helps New Jersey Devils edge Washington Capitals 3-2 in shootout -NHL Match Update
New Jersey made sure that they would not stay behind Washington for long and managed to catch-up in the second period. Facing a shootout, David Clarkson made not only the tie-breaker but also the winning shot on the last attempt in the shootout to help the
Devils edge the Capitals, 3-2, Saturday night, November 12, 2011, at the sold-out Verizon Center in Washington, District of Columbia, United States.
Having faced the Capitals only a day earlier in their own hometown, the New Jersey Devils faced a 3-1 defeat, but were focused to get some revenge in Washington the next time they met.
The Devils rallying in the third period to keep Washington out of the net certainly did not go unnoticed by their head coach, Peter DeBoer.
"It was a real gutsy effort in this building, down 2-0 to that team", coach Peter DeBoer said. "To hold them to seven shots over the last 45 minutes, I thought it was a real gritty effort".
Troy Brouwer and Jason Chimera scored two straight for the Capitals nearly 10 minutes apart in the opening period to give the home team a commanding lead entering the next round.
Killing off two straight penalties, New Jersey answered back as Petr Sykora fired a little over midway and Ryan Carter potted his first of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season to level the contest and force an intense third period face-off.
"It's disappointing to have this outcome", Washington forward, Brooks Laich said. "Teams are good and a two-goal lead is not safe. You have to push for that third one, try to get that third one and I think if you can get that one, then you are in control
of the game”.
Washington was limited to only two attempts on the New Jersey Devils net in the second 20 minute period.
New Jersey captain, Zach Parise, scored on his first shootout opportunity while Washington counterpart, Alex Ovechkin levelled it on the Capitals second chance.
As both teams missed on their following attempts, David Clarkson capitalised on the shootout’s last and took the match for the Devils.
Washington Capitals have the next three on the road starting off with the Nashville Predators on Tuesday while Devils pay a visit to Boston the same day to face the Bruins.
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