Recap: Caps down Devils 3-2

September 29, 2008   ·   Hasan   ·   Jump to comments

At the Rock this evening, the Devils played their fourth preseason game of the year (second at home), going down 3-2 to the Capitals.  

Mike Green and Boyd Gordon both scored in the second period to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead against Kevin Weekes, who played the entire contest in goal.  Both goals were set up by ex-Ranger Michael Nylander, trying to rebound from an injury-shortened season.  Less than 30 seconds into the third period, reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin flashed his midseason form, scoring a shorthanded goal to pump the Caps’ lead to 3-0.

From what I’ve read - was not at tonight’s game and it wasn’t on TV - the Devils’ lineup put up little resistance in the first two periods until Patrick Letourneau-Leblond ignited the announced crowd of 8,534 by taking on heavyweight Donald Brashear.  As so often happens in hockey, a fight ignited the home team and Zach Parise scored midway through the period to cut the deficit to 3-1.  David Clarkson and Rod Pelley assisted on Parise’s goal.  New Jersey pulled Weekes with four minutes left and played empty-net the rest of the way, it partially paid off when Petr Vrana continued his fine presesason by getting the Devils’ second goal, off of assists from Sheldon Brookbank and Fedor Federov.  However, the Devils ran out of time to tie the game.

The Devils’ next preseason game is at Long Island against the Isles Wednesday, and then they conclude with games at the Rock against the Islanders and Flyers Friday and Saturday.

Disclaimer: Not sure about the forward lines, but this is my best guess as to what they were given who played:

Devils forward lines: Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner, Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson, Vrana-Bergfors-Feberov, Leblond-Davis-Pelley

Devils defensive lines: Salvador-Martin, Brookbank-Greene, Samela-Leach

Devils goalies: Weekes-Clemmensen

For a more in-depth look at tonight’s game read Adam’s post below…guess we both decided to recap at the same time   Actually it turned out to be a good complimentary recap – me with the nuts and bolts and he with the analysis.  Sorta like a play-by-play and color guy.