Devils battle back for shootout win in the Capital!!!

After a tough loss at the Rock to the Washington Capitals,Johan Hedberg in front of the pipes instead of Martin Brodeur,I did not have high hopes for the Devils to earn two points and a split of the home and home in Washington Saturday night.
Those hopes decreased significantly after Washington beat Hedberg twice in the first period,but these New Jersey Devils are a bit more resilient than last years model and used second period goals by Petr Sykora (3) and Ryan Carter (1) to force an overtime and at least one point from the series.
Zach Parise and Alex Ovechkin each scored in the first three spots of the shootout,but a Johan Hedberg save on Nicklas Backstrom put David Clarkson in position to win the game for the Devils.
Clarkson faked Michal Neuvirth out of position and flipped the puck off his backhand over the fallen netminder for a 3-2 Devils win and two points in the standings!

New Jersey is off until Tuesday when they continue a five game road trip in Boston,followed by Buffalo on Wednesday.

Hell Raisers

1) Number one stat of the night-six shots on goal for Washington in the final two periods.
That's right-SIX against a team that has a superstar and ranks as one of the top offensive teams in the league.
The defense was locking down and laying out as the Devils blocked numerous shots before they reached the net.That is the type of progress that I am hoping to see continue....

2) Bad defensive play by Adam Henrique on the first Washington goal as a pass that was attempted was picked off by Troy Browuer and fired past Johan Hedberg.
Henrique should have just chipped the puck up ice and moved on.
Part of the young player learning and hopefully growing...

3) Petr Sykora's third goal came the same way that his previous two did-off a faceoff win and blazer.
According to Fire and Ice- this is a set play and Sykora has been able to take advantage of it.
The success has to raise the confidence in Sykora of Peter DeBoer and add to the confidence of Sykora in trying the shot...

4) Ryan Carter's goal as a Devil came off a redirected pass from Bryce Salvador.
To be honest,I have wondered why Carter has seen so much ice time,but Peter DeBoer knows Carter well and has to like Carter as a player.
Carter has a chance to keep getting ice time with the Devils issues at center and should continue to see plenty of penalty killing time...

5) Five power plays killed off by the Devils as the PK teams continue to play strongly....

6) Good news for the Power Play-No shorthanded goals allowed!!!

7) Bad news for the Power Play-No goals for them as their struggles continue.

Back later today with three posts-Browns,Seahawks and a new catcher for the Pirates!!!!

Photo Credit-AP Photo