Washington

Preseason Game #3 Recap: 5-3 Loss to the Washington Capitals

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

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Preseason Game #3 Recap: 5-3 Loss to the Washington Capitals

The Result: The New Jersey Devils lost a 5-3 game to the Washington Capitals.

The Game Stats:

Natural Stat Trick Game Stats

NHL.com Game Summary

NHL.com Event Summary

NHL.com Full Play-By-Play

NHL.com Shot Summary

The Game Highlights:

NHL.com Video Recap

Lines and Pairings

In their third preseason game, head coach Sheldon Keefe played most of his starting forwards. The 5-on-5 lines for tonight’s matchup were as follows:

Jesper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Timo Meier

Tomas Tatar – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Ondrej Palat – Justin Dowling – Stefan Noesen

Kurtis Macdermid – Xavier Parent – Chase Stillman

On the defensive side, Keefe paired veterans Brenden Dillon and Dougie Hamilton, while giving the younger defensemen plenty of playing time. Daniil Misyul played the majority of the game with Seamus Casey. Nick DeSimone was paired with Colton White.

First Period

New Capital Logan Thompson got the start against Jacob Markstrom and both goaltenders played well in the first frame. The line of Bratt-Hughes-Meier started quickly with Meier getting a good snap shot on net just 18 seconds into the game. Thompson made a quality save as he did on another shot from Ondrej Palat a couple minutes later. The Devils jumped on the scoreboard first when a one-timed slapshot from Brenden Dillon at the point beat Thompson. Stefan Noesen provided the distraction in front of the net and looked like he may have even gotten a stick on the shot.

See the goal here.

Markstrom made his fair share of solid saves as well. One particularly good save came with 10:39 left in the first period. Capitals’ center Michael Sgarbossa slid the puck to Alex Limoges at the doorstep, but Markstrom got across in time to make the stop. Markstrom made another good save on Dylan McIlrath with lots of traffic in front with just over two minutes left in the period.

While I wasn’t particularly impressed with the play of any of the young defensemen in the first period, I wasn’t bothered by their play either. There was some sloppy play in the defensive zone that led to pucks in front of the Devils’ net, but Markstrom was up to the challenge. Seamus Casey did show off his handles and was able to get some pucks toward the net front throughout the game.

The first period ended with the Devils up 1-0.

Brenden Dillon after scoring a goal.

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Second Period

I don’t know what happened in the locker room, but the Devils came out of the intermission looking slow and sloppy. Right from the puck drop, the Capitals were able to put sustained pressure on the Devils it never got any better. Jacob Markstrom did the best he could under the onslaught. Around the 16:30 mark of the period, Markstrom appeared to stop a point blank Capitals’ shot and he made another good save on newly acquired Capital Andrew Mangiapane from close range with just over 11 minutes left in the period.

From my count, the Devils had about two decent shifts in the second period. One of the two came with just over eight minutes left in the period when Nico Hischier tried to pass the puck to Tomas Tatar for a good scoring chance, but Tatar couldn’t quite get a handle on the puck. On the next shift, Jack Hughes and Timo Meier were able to link up for another scoring opportunity, but again, Meier was unable to bury the puck. From the Devils’ perspective, that was about it for the second period.

The Capitals were finally able to beat Markstrom with just over five minutes remaining in the second period. John Carlson connected with Alex Limoges on a nice give and go passing play, allowing Carlson to walk into the slot and rip a shot past Markstrom. About four minutes later, the flood gates opened, and the Capitals scored twice within a minute. On the Capitals’ second goal, Dylan Strome camped behind the Devils’ defensemen and caught a homerun pass for a breakaway. Twenty-seven seconds later, Brandon Duhaime caught a centering pass in front and was able to get enough on it to beat Markstrom.

Markstrom did not have much of a chance on any of the three goals allowed in the second period. The Devils supposedly recorded six shots in the second frame, but it certainly didn’t feel like they had that many. The Capitals applied most of the pressure and the period ended with the Capitals up 3-1.

One item to note, on his last shift of the second period it appeared that Jack Hughes was knocked down awkwardly following some incidental contact. Hughes skated straight to the bench but would return for his first shift in the third, which was a sigh of relief for Devils’ fans.

Third Period

The third period started much like the second. With the exception of a couple of shifts, the Devils appeared to be out of gas. About six minutes into the third period the Devils received a power play opportunity when Alexander Suzdalev was sent off for a trip. Head coach Sheldon Keefe sent out the combination of Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt. The power play unit had sustained pressure, keeping the Capitals hemmed up in their defensive zone for almost the entire two minutes, but were unable to beat Logan Thompson. The Devils’ power play unit was forced to the perimeter and unable to connect between the circles.

The Devils’ power play got another opportunity with just over nine minutes left to go in the game when Nic Dowd was also called for a trip. Keefe sent the same unit out to begin the power play, but it was Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen who provided the best scoring chance. Palat sent a tip opportunity to Noesen camped in front, but Thompson was able make a very good save.

The Devils’ lack of success on the power play would come back to haunt them when the Capitals’ Dylan Strome snuck behind the Devils’ defense yet again to tip home a backdoor pass from John Carlson on the doorstep. 4-1. Not good.

With about five minutes to go in the game, the Devils began to play with a sense of urgency and get more traffic in front of the net. The push began with Nico Hischier tipping home a Brenden Dillon shot from the point to make it 4-2. See the goal here. With just over four minutes to go in the game, the Devils pulled their goaltender. In the ensuing 6-on-5, Jack Hughes wired a wrist shot through heavy traffic to make things interesting at 4-3. See the goal here.

Washington Capitals v New Jersey Devils — Jack Hughes with linemates Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt.

The Devils’ push proved to be too little too late and an empty net goal by Brandon Duhaime iced the 5-3 victory for the Capitals.

What Not to Like

The speed and rust. The Devils looked slow in the second period and most of the third. I expect some rust to start the year, but the regular season is coming quickly.

The puck play in the defensive zone. I realize that with the exception of Dougie Hamilton and Brenden Dillon, the defensemen that played were young. That being said with Luke Hughes out and Brett Pesce still recovering, the Devils will depend on the defensive depth to start the year. Yes, Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic will help, but I would still like to see better puck movement in the defensive zone.

The lack of traffic in front of the opposing net. We saw this last year, but too often the Devils can be forced to the perimeter in the offensive zone. I’d like to see more of a net front presence and that appeared to come from Hischier, Noesen, and Palat. When there was traffic in front of the opposing net, the Devils scored.

What to Like

Dawson Mercer. I was particularly interested to see how Dawson Mercer was skating after missing the first two preseason games. It was nice to see Mercer being Mercer. Skating hard and battling in the corners.

The potential. The talent is clearly there. The top two lines played well in the first period and I liked the combination of Palat and Noesen. Markstrom played well again.

Seamus Casey’s handles. While the Devils’ younger defensemen who played tonight did not necessarily impress, Casey clearly showed that he can handle the puck well, particularly in the offensive zone. He looked comfortable quarterbacking play with the extra attacker late in the third and provided an assist on Jack Hughes’ goal.

Your Thoughts

What did you like in tonight’s game? What did you not like? What should the Devils do differently? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for reading and GO DEVILS!

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Washington

New Washington Commanders stadium could hosts games at 2031 World Cup

Published

16 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

New Washington Commanders stadium could hosts games at 2031 World Cup

Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.

In 2031.

The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women’s World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.

FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.

The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.

Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men’s World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.

Washington is also an epicenter for women’s soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.

“Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game,” according to the description of Washington in the bid book.

Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.

The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica’s stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it’s likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.

In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.

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Washington

Yates scores 25, Diallo adds 19 to lead Washington past Nevada 83-66 in Acrisure classic

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Yates scores 25, Diallo adds 19 to lead Washington past Nevada 83-66 in Acrisure classic

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Wesley Yates III scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half after Zoom Diallo had 13 of his 19 in the first half and Washington beat Nevada 83-66 in the Acrisure Holiday Classic on Thursday.

The Huskies (5-1), who won their bracket in the same tournament last year, led by six at halftime and were up by 11 just past the midway point of the second when Yates scored eight points in 80 seconds for a 67-48 lead with 7:09 to go.

The Wolf Pack (5-2) got within 10 with 1:26 to play but JJ Mandaquit made four free throws and Quimari Peterson drilled a 3-pointer to wrap up a 7-0 finish.

Franck Kepnang added 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting for the Huskies, who ended a six-game losing streak to Nevada.

Tayshawn Comer scored 16 points to lead the Wolf Pack (5-2). Elijah Price added 12 with eight rebounds.

The Huskies shot 52% in the second half (13 of 25), including 6 of 8 on 3-pointers, and made 17 of 21 from the foul line.

Diallo helped Washington take a 34-28 lead at halftime. The Huskies had a 10-0 run through the middle of the half that included a three-point play and seven points from Diallo to lead 19-11,

Chuck Bailey III had a 3 that pulled Nevada into a tie at 20. Yates matched that shot and the Huskies kept the lead the rest of the way.

Up next

Washington plays Colorado for the championship on Friday.

Nevada plays San Francisco in the consolation game on Friday.

——-

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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National Guardsmen shot in Washington DC: What happened, who’s the suspect?

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

National Guardsmen shot in Washington DC: What happened, who’s the suspect?

Two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded after being shot near the White House. Officials have described the attack as a “targeted shooting”.

United States President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a “heinous assault” and “an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror”.

What happened in Washington, DC?

Police say a lone suspect opened fire on a National Guard member at about 2:15pm local time (19:15 GMT).

The suspect, who was also shot during the confrontation, was taken to a hospital for treatment and remains under police custody.

“It appears to be a lone gunman who raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief, told reporters.

According to a CNN report, the suspect walked up to three National Guard members who appeared unaware of him until he opened fire. He shot one guard, then another, before standing over the first victim and appearing to attempt another shot. At that point, the third guardsman returned fire.

Trump was in Florida at the time of the incident.

Approximately 2,200 National Guard members have been deployed across the US capital, including 925 from the DC National Guard and more than 1,200 from other states.

Law enforcement officers secure the area after a shooting in downtown Washington, DC, November 26, 2025 [AFP]

What is the National Guard?

The National Guard is a reserve branch of the US military that can be called up during emergencies at home, such as natural disasters or civil unrest, and can also support missions overseas.

It consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard and has about 431,000 members, making it the second-largest military force in the country.

Each US state and territory, as well as Washington, DC, has its own National Guard units. These units answer both to state leaders and the federal government. This differs from the regular US military, whose active-duty members serve full-time under federal command.

Two soldiers wounded on Wednesday were members of West Virginia’s National Guard, Governor Patrick Morrisey said.

Last week, a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, ruling that the move was likely unlawful. Following the shooting, the Trump administration sought to have that decision overturned.

A member of the U.S. Secret Service stands guard in a cordoned-off area after two National Guard members — A member of the US Secret Service stands guard in a cordoned-off area after two National Guard members were shot near the White House, November 26, 2025 [Nathan Howard/Reuters]

Where did the shooting take place?

The shooting took place in Farragut Square – a tourist-heavy area located near a busy transit centre and the White House.

The area, where lampposts are wrapped in wreaths and bows for the holiday season, is flanked by fast-casual restaurants and a coffee shop, as well as two stops on the Washington metro system.

Who is the suspect?

Investigators have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Lakanwal arrived in the US from Afghanistan in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome – a programme launched under the Joe Biden administration to resettle Afghans after the Taliban regained control following the US withdrawal.

“I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan – a hellhole on Earth,” Trump said in a video message.

The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration.
I will not utter this depraved individual’s name.…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) November 27, 2025

What is Operation Allies Welcome?

Operation Allies Welcome was a US programme started in 2021 to help Afghans who fled their country after the Taliban took control. Many of these Afghans had worked with US troops as interpreters, drivers, or support staff and feared they could be targeted. Others, such as journalists and women’s rights activists, were also at risk.

Under the programme, tens of thousands of Afghans were transported to US military bases, where they underwent medical checks, received vaccinations, and completed immigration processing. They also underwent security screening before being relocated to communities across the country.

According to the Congressional Research Service, about 76,000 Afghans entered the US through the initiative, which lasted roughly a year. The programme later faced criticism from some Republicans who argued the vetting process was insufficient.

What’s next?

In response to the attack, Trump announced plans to expand deportation efforts and said his administration would re-examine Afghans who arrived after the Taliban takeover. “We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan,” he said.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it is pausing the processing of all Afghan immigration requests “pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”

Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an additional 500 National Guard members, from a state yet to be named, would be sent to Washington, DC, to bolster security and reassure the public.

Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and…
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— USCIS (@USCIS) November 27, 2025

What have been the reactions?

In his statement, Trump said he was “determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price”.

“We are not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country,” he said.

President Trump delivers remarks on the horrific attack on the Great National Guard Warriors https://t.co/xDxRzJENU0
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 27, 2025

Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition that assists Afghans seeking to immigrate, said the organisation believes that the attacker should face “full accountability and prosecution”. But he warned that the incident should not be used to “demonise the Afghan community”.

Our statement regarding today’s horrific shooting.
Our hearts go out to the brave guardsmen attacked today.
We will not let the action of one deranged asshole be the excuse used to cause harm to an entire community of people. pic.twitter.com/LcMODaYEXD
— Shawn VanDiver (@shawnjvandiver) November 27, 2025

Former President Joe Biden said he and his wife, Jill, are “heartbroken” by the shooting.

“Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families,” Biden wrote on X.

Jill and I are heartbroken that two members of the National Guard were shot outside the White House. Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and we must all stand united against it. We are praying for the service members and their families.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 26, 2025

Former US President Barack Obama shared a post on social media condemning the attack, and saying, “Violence has no place in America.”

Violence has no place in America. Michelle and I are praying for the servicemembers shot in Washington, DC today, and send our love to their families as they enter this holiday season under the most tragic of circumstances.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 27, 2025

General Steven Nordhaus, the head of the National Guard, said he was returning to Washington, DC, from Guantanamo Bay, which he was visiting to spend Thanksgiving with US troops at the military base.

SEA Raines and I join our entire National Guard family in praying for the recovery of the two West Virginia National Guard heroes who were shot while protecting our Nation’s capital today. pic.twitter.com/iOj465v1Aa
— Gen. Steven Nordhaus (@ChiefNGB) November 26, 2025
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