The Washington Capitals showcased a revamped roster against the New Jersey Devils during their home opener on Saturday night. This summer, the Capitals made notable acquisitions, including Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun, and Andrew Mangiapane. Despite a strong start with John Carlson scoring on a power play to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead, the Devils managed to withstand the energy from the excited home crowd for the season’s first game. The victory wasn’t flawless, but the Devils secured the two points they aimed for after a disappointing game on Thursday. As the saying goes, good teams find a way to win, even if the game isn’t pretty. Now, let’s break down some report card grades from the Devils’ 5-3 triumph over the Capitals.
Devils Special Teams: C
The Devils’ special teams struggled on Saturday. At times, their power play resembled a disadvantage, as the Capitals pressured Jacob Markstrom during their shorthanded moments, making it hard for New Jersey to transition the puck towards Charlie Lindgren. The Devils’ first power play was ineffective, but they improved slightly during subsequent opportunities with faster decision-making and sharper passing, yet didn’t manage to score. Head Coach Keefe chose to start the second unit instead of the first due to their lack of synergy at the moment. “It comes down to the individuals needing to make plays,” Keefe remarked, expressing dissatisfaction. “They need to learn to handle pressure. It’s not about structure; it’s about the personnel. We have talented players out there, and they need to find their rhythm.” On the penalty kill, going 2 for 3 was decent, especially against a Capitals team featuring power-play threats like Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson.
5-on-5 Defense: D
While the defense showed some improvement from their previous game, it still fell short. The Devils managed to outscore their mistakes, but their 5-on-5 play included several careless errors. For instance, on Dylan Strome’s goal for Washington, three Devils players were caught puck watching below the goal line, allowing Strome to find space in a critical area to score. Additionally, during another play, three Devils defenders were behind their own net, leaving Tom Wilson open to score with too much space in front of him. These lapses need to be addressed. “I’m not pleased with the 5-on-5 goals we allowed. We could have handled those situations better,” Keefe explained.
Seamus Casey: B-
Seamus Casey had a challenging start against the Capitals. The veteran-laden lineup took advantage of his rookie status, forcing him to play out of position several times. In fact, his misplacement contributed to the Devils conceding the first goal of the game, as Timo Meier tried to make up for it but ended up taking a penalty, allowing John Carlson to score quickly. Despite this setback, Casey didn’t let the situation overwhelm him. He remained composed and confident in his strengths, eventually scoring a crucial goal that helped neutralize Washington’s momentum and tie the game. I considered giving him a lower grade (C-), but his timely goal and ability to find his footing for the rest of the game earned him a higher mark. “He has a lot of confidence in his offensive abilities, which is why we rely on him in power-play situations,” Keefe noted. “That was a significant goal for us to get started. It demonstrates his skill. He’s now scored two power-play goals using similar moves to get into that space, but he varies his shots across different areas of the net. It was a big moment for us
Cotter-Haula-Noesen: A+
Cotter netted two goals at crucial moments, while Stefan Noesen provided three primary assists, showcasing his elite playmaking skills. Erik Haula added three secondary assists, making this line instrumental in securing the victory. Keefe showed he was making the right moves early on by swapping Cotter with Ondrej Palat, who has now moved to the fourth line.
The Devils’ revamped third line posed a threat nearly every shift. Cotter’s addition definitely provided a much-needed spark, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he moves up in the lineup again soon. “Yeah, he’s definitely in a good groove. I’ve liked his performance in every game we’ve played, regardless of the line he’s been on,” Keefe shared. “Sometimes I leave a game feeling like I should have given him more ice time. He’s always capitalizing on the chances he gets.”
Tomas Tatar: A+
Saturday night felt like a celebration for Tomas Tatar’s return. He has been consistently strong playing alongside Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, but against the Capitals, he was exceptional. This performance was exactly what general manager Tom Fitzgerald envisioned when he brought Tatar back. He’s part of a two-way line that effectively both generates and stifles scoring opportunities. Tatar led the Devils in CF% (64%) and remained a consistent threat throughout the game. He finished the night with a goal and an assist, scoring when the Devils needed to regain the lead and assisting on the crucial goal that clinched the victory. The 33-year-old’s continued excellence is definitely appreciated!
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