Cotter’s Goal Spree Bolsters Devils in Win Against Capitals

In a thrilling encounter, Paul Cotter continued his impressive start to the season by netting in two goals, taking his tally to four in just four games, as the New Jersey Devils triumphed over the Washington Capitals by a 5-3 margin on a riveting Saturday night.

Ovechkin’s Unusual Quiet Night

Despite being a prolific scorer, Capitals’ talisman Alex Ovechkin couldn’t register a single shot, an unusual occurrence that has only happened 23 times in his illustrious career. However, he did manage to contribute an assist and record six hits. As Ovechkin begins his 20th NHL season, he remains 42 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894.

Devils Triumph Amidst Tense Finale

Accompanying Cotter on the scoresheet for the Devils were Seamus Casey, Tomas Tatar, and Dawson Mercer. Erik Haula and Stefan Noesen each set up three goals, while goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 29 crucial saves. The Devils (3-1-0) managed to hold onto a precarious two-goal lead going into the third period, despite Tom Wilson’s slap shot goal for the Capitals (0-1-0) just 95 seconds into the period. As the Capitals sought an equalizer during a power play, Mercer put the game to rest with an empty-netter with just eight seconds remaining.

Notable Events and Stats

John Carlson and Dylan Strome each found the back of the net and provided an assist for the Capitals. However, the team suffered a setback when defenseman Matt Roy was forced to leave the game with a lower-body injury.

A significant stat from the game was the Capitals’ third-line forwards – Sonny Milano, Hendrix Lapierre, and Aliaksei Protas, who were on the ice for three of the Devils’ goals.

Upcoming Games

As the NHL season continues, the Capitals will host the Vegas Golden Knights, hoping to bounce back from this defeat. Meanwhile, the Devils will return to their home ground for a Monday matinee against Utah.

Looking Forward

For the Devils, this victory justifies the offseason optimism surrounding the team, with Cotter leading the charge and the offense creating potent scoring opportunities. On the other hand, the Capitals will reflect on a home opener that saw more than 70 team alumni in attendance to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary, but unfortunately, a sold-out crowd could not inspire a late comeback.

Game’s Turning Point

The game’s decisive moment came when Capitals’ goaltender Charlie Lindgren lost his stick, leading to Cotter’s second goal on a 2-on-1 rush by the Devils, enabling them to take a 4-2 lead into the second intermission.