Caps down the Devils in season opener

Although the Russian captain scored a stunning go-ahead goal and set up another in a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils, Washington wasted a 5-on-3 advantage in the second period and gave back a two-goal lead in the first. The New Jersey Devils would be rude visitors, though, getting a pair of their own barely two minutes apart late in the first frame.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russian Federation, skates with the puck with New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac (19) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, October 10, 2015, in Washington.

“That’s what the fans pay money to see”, said Jason Chimera, who scored Washington’s first goal.

Maybe it was too much good fortune early, but the Caps had that whole “next shift” goal bite them in the backside after the Orpik goal, Adam Henrique getting the Devils on the board just 22 seconds after Orpik’s tally.

“Definitely got into the game there”, said Kinkaid, playing as regular starter Cory Schneider rested following Friday’s opener.

Jaromir Jagr, 43, got his campaign off on the right foot with the 723rd and 724th goals of his career.

Washington grabbed a 2-0 lead after the first-period midway point on Chimera’s goal, a pass that Justin Williams deflected off the stick of the defending Jordin Tootoo, and to Orpik for a one-time wrist shot.

NOTES: C Reid Boucher, RW Tuomo Ruutu and D Damon Severson were scratched for the Devils…. His best was a blocker stop on T.J. Oshie’s backhand on a breakaway with 3:49 left. Washington was 4-1 against New Jersey last season, outscoring the Devils 17-6….

It was a stark contrast from the standard set last season when the Panthers were one of the worst offensive teams in the league and also deviated from Mason’s tradition of dominating Florida. Washington will begin the season without Nicklas Backstrom, however, as the center recovers from the arthroscopic hip surgery he underwent in May.