Ovechkin scores stunner, helps Caps win

New Jersey simply doesn’t have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with teams like Washington so they can’t afford to spot PP goals if they want to have a chance.

The Washington Capitals opened their season at the Verizon Center for just the third time in the ten years, and downed the Devils to open the 2015 season with a win. The Capitals were the last team in the Metropolitan Division to play their season opener….

In Glendale, Arizona, Mike Smith shook off a hard collision to stop 27 shots, and Jordan Martinook scored his first career National Hockey League goal. All three kinds of goals were scored by Washington (even strength, power play and short-handed) and nine different players from their team scored a point. That was followed by by Brooks Orpik’s first goal in 93 games in a Washington uniform, with a pinpoint-accurate rifle from the high slot.

Alex Ovechkin had one of his usual dominant nights that fans often take for-granted. The 55-second study in keep-away put the Caps’ stickhandling and passing skills on display.

– Joseph Blandisi scored the lone goal in Albany’s 4-1 loss on Saturday night. Quenneville has four goals and 11 points in five games. Brooks Orpik would make it 2-0 at the 14:32 mark with a centering shot that got past Devils net minder Keith Kincaid.

Three players stood out during the Washington Capitals during the 5-3 win. Well, at least they will have things to work on. Marcus Johansem would tally six minutes later later on a shot rebound from Ovechkin to make is 4-2.

Offensive zone pressure by the fourth line forced the Devils into taking a penalty late in the second period.

Injuries were an issue for the Caps coming into this game with Nicklas Backstrom being held out for perhaps the first week as he continues his recuperation from hip surgery, and Orpik playing his first game after sitting out the preseason after wrist surgery.

Alex Ovechkin is no stranger to highlight-reel goals. He came out for one more 18-second shift before sitting out the rest of the second period.Wilson did return for the third period.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russian Federation, …