Washington Capitals drop third game in a row losing to the New Jersey Devils
The Washington Capitals were looking to avoid losing three games in a row on Monday 22 November, while the New Jersey Devils were looking for a performance that they could take something
positive from. The Devils were able to realize their goal, beating the Capitals by a score of 5-0 and handing the Caps their first three game losing streak of the season on 22 November.
Heading into this game the Devils were mired in a three-game losing streak of their own. They had also received news over the weekend that their starting goaltender, Martin Brodeur, would
miss up to two weeks while he rested an injured elbow.
The Capitals had dropped their last two games by scores of 5-0 and 5-4 before the loss to the Devils.
Patrick Elias got the scoring started with a power play goal at the 5:49 mark of the first period. Elias was rushing the net when he tipped the shot from Mattias Tedenby past the Capitals
rookie goaltender Braden Holtby.
Jason Arnott put the Devils up by two later in the first period. Arnott, with three Capitals players pursuing him behind the Washington net was able to put a wrap-around behind Holtby
for his seventh goal of the season. The unassisted goal was an impressive display of patience and power by Arnott.
Tedenby closed out the scoring for the Devils in the first period when he was awarded a penalty shot. Tedenby was practically tackled by the Capitals John Erskine as he was attempting
a shot at the 18:14 mark of the period. On the penalty shot, Tedenby went with a backhand and scored on what was his first NHL penalty shot attempt.
Arnott put the Devils ahead by four early in the second period when he put a snap shot past Holtby for his second goal of the game.
The final tally of the game came at the 7:48 mark of the second period when Dainius Zubrus collected a rebound from in front of the Washington net and put the puck behind Holtby for a
5-0 New Jersey lead.
Bruce Boudreau, head coach of the Capitals was not happy with his team’s performance.
"Everything has a trickle down effect from the forwards to the defence to the goalie to the coaches. If we fail like this, it's everybody's fault. We all have to pick up our socks and
find out what's gone wrong in these last three games. I know it happens, but it hasn't happened to us and I don't like it."
The 5-0 shutout was the first of the season for New Jersey goaltender Johan Hedberg.
The win moves the Devils to 6-13-2. The Capitals loss dropped them to 14-6-2 and dropped them to second overall in the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers, with a Monday win over the Montreal
Canadiens took over the league lead.
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