The Washington Capitals are in the win column for the first time during the 2024 preseason after a 5-3 road win over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night. The Capitals secured the victory despite New Jersey icing most of their NHL regulars in preparation for an early start to their regular season overseas.
Dylan Strome and Brandon Duhaime finished with two markers apiece, and John Carlson added one more to make five for the good guys. Logan Thompson played the entire game in net.
- The win featured Alex Ovechkin’s preseason debut, and the team’s captain looked good in his first game action. Ovechkin, Strome, and Andrew Mangiapane, their new running mate, combined for three points (2g, 1a). The Great Eight did not record a shot on goal, though, and received the fifth-least ice time (14:25) on the team.
- Spencer Carbery mentioned pregame that Jakub Vrana needed to have a strong game, and the Czech winger delivered. Vrana found the scoresheet with an assist, and his play along the walls and cycling of possession in the offensive zone was impressive. Washington was at its best five-on-five with Vrana on the ice, seeing positive differentials in shot attempts (+12) and scoring chances (+8).
- Nic Dowd got his first run out with his new wingers, and the line immediately struck for Duhaime’s two goals. The Capitals want more offense from that trio this season and early indications look like that will be entirely possible. Dowd, Duhaime, and Taylor Raddysh combined for five points (2g, 3a).
- Washington’s new top defense pairing, Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson, saw their first ice time together against live opposition. Both players skated over 23 minutes and seemed to grow into the game well. The two offensive blueliners combined for two points (1g, 1a), six shots on goal, 12 individual shot attempts, and four individual scoring chances.
- Logan Thompson stopped every single puck he actually saw in his first start of the season. Thompson made 25 stops and was only beaten by a deflection and two wristers from the point that made their way through several bodies in front of the net.
- The Capitals really took it to the Devils at five-on-five despite taking on a lot of New Jersey’s top talent. They finished the night with advantages in shot attempts (+7), scoring chances (+13), and high-danger chances (+7). The only downside was they got zero power play practice time with Ovechkin in their lineup, as the only penalties called in the game were against the Capitals.
The Capitals will be back on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex bright and early Thursday, beginning with Group A practice at 9 am. Their next preseason action comes against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday at Capital One Arena.
