2023020587
[NHL.com Boxscore](https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/2023020587)
|Teams|1st|2nd|3rd|Total|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[NJD](/r/devils)|2|2|2|6|
|[WSH](/r/caps)|1|2|0|3|
##Team Stats
|Team|Shots|Hits|Blocks|FOW%|Giveaways|Takeaways|Power Play|PIM|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[NJD](/r/devils)|28|16|8|58.8%|11|10|1/2|8|
|[WSH](/r/caps)|26|25|20|41.2%|18|6|2/4|4|
##Goals
|Period|Time|Team|Strength|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|1st|03:03|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|[Nico Hischier (9) snap shot, assist(s): Colin Miller (2), Nico Daws (1)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344232859112)|
|1st|09:50|[NJD](/r/devils)|Power Play|[Nico Hischier (10) tip-in shot, assist(s): Luke Hughes (15), Jack Hughes (30)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344234842112)|
|1st|18:38|[WSH](/r/caps)|Power Play|[Connor McMichael (7) wrist shot, assist(s): Rasmus Sandin (11), Anthony Mantha (7)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344236826112)|
|2nd|08:08|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|[Dawson Mercer (11) snap shot, assist(s): Erik Haula (9), Nico Hischier (10)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344235103112)|
|2nd|11:25|[WSH](/r/caps)|Even|[Evgeny Kuznetsov (6) snap shot, assist(s): Alex Ovechkin (15), Martin Fehervary (5)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344237168112)|
|2nd|18:58|[WSH](/r/caps)|Power Play|John Carlson (2) slap shot, assist(s): Evgeny Kuznetsov (7), Alex Ovechkin (16)|
|2nd|19:44|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|[Michael McLeod (8) backhand shot, assist(s): Alexander Holtz (8)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344238171112)|
|3rd|07:16|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|[Dawson Mercer (12) snap shot, assist(s): Erik Haula (10), Nathan Bastian (5)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6344238313112)|
|3rd|15:35|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|Michael McLeod (9) backhand shot, assist(s): Alexander Holtz (9), Curtis Lazar (7)|
##Penalties
|Period|Time|Team|Type|Min|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:-:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|1st|09:15|[WSH](/r/caps)|MIN|2|Max Pacioretty tripping against John Marino|
|1st|16:55|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Nathan Bastian roughing against Beck Malenstyn|
|2nd|17:29|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Colin Miller tripping against Tom Wilson|
|3rd|03:22|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Jonas Siegenthaler hooking against Beck Malenstyn|
|3rd|05:08|[WSH](/r/caps)|MIN|2|Alex Ovechkin tripping against Jesper Bratt|
|3rd|19:51|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Brendan Smith boarding against Beck Malenstyn|
**Officials**
* Referees: Kelly Sutherland, Brandon Blandina
* Linesmen: Scott Cherrey, Matt MacPherson
The bot can only be as correct as its sources, the sources it uses are linked below each table. If you notice an error that is not due to an incorrect source or you want to suggest a source [click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=TeroTheTerror&subject=HockeyMod Issue&message=Subreddit:%0A%0AIssue:) to message TeroTheTerror.
by HockeyMod
42 Comments
Decent win considering a heavily managed game in the Caps favor by the refs. Gotta admit I was sweating for a bit (and still am considering I just got off the treadmill!) and the TNT announcers acted as if this was a shocking victory as if we don’t routinely dunk 5+ goals per game, but right now I’ll take 2 regulation points against a metro team any way we can get them. This game was kind of my barometer of weather (whether?!) we will make the playoffs or not and I think just like this game we figure out a way to get the job done.
Smith mocking Tom Wilson is pure gold.
Number 1 PP in the league right now? 👀
Starting 2024 Out Right!
* Three point night for Nico (THE BIRTHDAY BOY), two point night for Merce (THE 200TH GAME BOY), two point night for Haulzy, two point night for McLeod, and two point night for Holtzy.
* Thats how you fucking do it.
* A win we desperately need after two very embarassing losses to the Caps last year and earlier in the season.
* Second period got a little out of hand, and we really do need to work on figuring out why we suck in the second period, but we had that game in the first and the third.
* Good to win when you’re missing key pieces like Timo and Pally.
* BIRTHDAY WIN FOR MY FAVORITE BIRTHDAY BOY.
* Nico Daws first career NHL point on a Nico Hischier goal. Two Nicos are better than one.
* Gotta put some work in again on that PK.
* And first PP was great, but second PP was oh boy bad.
* I hope Holtzy and Millsy have done enough for Lindy to give them better minutes/not scratch them.
* Lindy, do you see what happens when you give Nico at least one competent goal scorer on the wing, he fucking flies.
* One day I’ll get to see a Nico Hischier hatty, one day.
* A really fucking important win all around.
Two of those caps goals were gifted (one offside that Lindy failed to challenge and the Wilson dive). Solid effort to overcome that BS convincingly
Too soon to say, but I hope it’s Daws season. It would be HUGE if we didn’t have to trade for a starting goalie.
Pretty good overall effort tonight, especially in most of the 1st and 3rd periods. McLeod’s goal in the last few seconds of the 2nd, after the Caps scored a tying power play goal with about a minute left of the middle period and had the momentum, was the biggest play of the game.
Im surprised they arent asking Nico about how amazing the Caps are
3rd* most wins in the division, 1 behind carolina w 2 games in hand, im sure the sky will still be falling and lindy’s head will be on a pike outside the rock when they lose to vancouver though
“Nico, as the captain of the New Jersey Devils, we’d love to know who has given you the most important lessons when it comes to leading a hockey team? Martin Brodeur? Patrik Elias?”
“umm, Roger Federer…”
Toffoli is a very slow player. Or he’s injured.
Big win
Lots of positives tonight. First off, finally beating the Caps. Really nice. Second, I’m so glad to see guys like Mercer, Nico and McLeod being on fire. Especially Mercer. Dude was a ghost in the first month but he’s showing us why he deserves to be extended these past few weeks. Third, the power play is jolting back to life again which is awesome to see since it’s been struggling massively before these last few games. Fourth, back in a playoff spot!
Couple things could be better though, first goal let in by Daws was pretty soft, but he seemed alright tonight, gotta give him some more time to fully get back in the groove but I still think he should be the priority over Vitek. PK also needs some work. Other than that, solid win.
Question: How does this put us ahead of the caps in the standings. We now have the same number of points and they did it in 1 less game?
Mercdawg had 0 points through the first 10 games. Dudes been really great consistently since.
What a game! This was exactly what I needed to see tonight. Daws stopped enough of the shots to give them a chance and boy did they take it. They thoroughly outplayed the Caps in that third period. Gonna be a long fight to the finish!
I think scoring 2 goals per period is a good game plan moving forward
Daws let in maybe two goals he could’ve had but in his two games he’s looked like the best of the three goalies we’ve played so far. He did make some clutch saves. Vitek lets in that breakaway the Caps had like 5 seconds after they made it 3-3, probably 99% of the time while flying out of the crease into outer space.
I was at the game.
the ‘Let’s Go Devils’ chants and Ric Flair WOOOs rocked the Caps arena for the third period. 😈😈
A huge FUCK TOM WILSON.
Getting Meier and Toffoli in the off-season placed a bit of a stranglehold on the top 6, but Mercer needs to play with Nico. He exploded last season when he got moved up to that line and he needs to play up. I liked Daws tonight but goaltending is gonna be an issue until we replace Vitek if we’re being honest.
Lindy just confirmed Palat likely unavailable for the next few games. The hits keep coming.
Massive win, hope we can build and finally win a back to back lol
So the flu bug is in the clubhouse. Oh no….
Nico Dawson MercerHischier
Sorry caps, we play devils hockey, no loser points
I see a few of our guys had blueballs this game
Love it, had some inconsistent play defensively – mostly from certain forwards not hustling back when we were up – but Daws was there to clean up a lot of madness. That’s my favorite part about Nico, he doesn’t seem to get rattled, he stops what he can and keeps his head in the game if he misses one. Great game for Haula, as well as double goal scorers, so sad Erik couldn’t get Nico that first period hattie. Not for want of trying 🙂 Big shout out to Siegs, Bastian, Miller and even Luke a bit for taking big hits to keep us the puck tonight.
1. Idk what else Holtz has to do to prove he’s a top 9 forward at a minimum. Almost every time he’s in the top 9 he’s very noticeable out there.
2. It was only 1 game, but Nico looked so much better without Palat anchoring his line down it seems.
3. Still need a goalie. Daws is young and makes couple big saves, but you can’t give up multiple bad goals a game.
4. Smith and Bastian shouldn’t be regulars in the lineup.
5. Defense is still a little too unorganized for my liking.
Good game overall, hope they build on this.
Yay we’re the best team in the league again!
[deleted]
tbt to when i was told miller was trash by most during preseason
I know this was a good win but the handling of Clarke by Lindy today still bothers me
Weird how everyone seems to play well with McLeod…👀
Can somebody explain to me what Nate Bastian does anymore??
One thing Ive loved about Daws since he was thrown to the wolves a couple years ago is his mental steadiness. Yeah he made mistake’s tonight. But usually followed it up with some pretty steady and reassuring play. Vitek is way too much of a rollercoaster, his lows are LOW.
Love the effort from Daws so far but we still need a goalie. Sheesh the only thing keeping us from the top of the division are God damn loser points. If we can string a few wins together we should be feeling a lot better.
So let me get this straight. Nico Daws, who’s 23 years old right now, who got thrown into a horrible situation way too early in the 21/22 season, who just won the 2 games he’s started, even beating the capitals who have had our number for the past bunch of years. Is just a piece of garbage and none of that matters and we should still push for a highly paid inconsistent gibson? This is some clown material. And the worst part is with all the bs negativity condescending things you say. I’ll be the one getting banned calling you out on your bs bullying loser pathetic Mentality. You are toxic scum to this planet. Great chatting with you.
Love seeing my boy Mercer snagging 2 goals. 20 points in 36 games not too shabby considering how he started the year.
If anyone re-watches the game (nhl66.ir, or nhlvideo.net) at 17:31 of the 1st period Brendan Smith gets away with a beaut of a slewfoot on Nick Jensen #3 right under the ref’s nose. He plays it off like Jensen tripped himself, I’m dyin.
Loved seeing the Devils control this game. It got a little slippery a few times when the Caps looked like they were clawing it back but the Devils owned the third period.
One surprise stat on the screen was that through 35 games, this year’s team is only 6 points / 3 wins down on last year’s team. The up and down performance and rough stretch in November definitely makes it look worse, though same as last year some of the team’s wins have felt a little more like losses given the anxiety it took to produce ’em. Obviously with the way the Metro is this year it’ll be a hard rest of the season with no guarantees about a playoff spot, but we’ll see.
Simon is Himothy