DEVILS (3-2-0) vs CAPITALS (3-3-0)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; MSGSN
RADIO: 7:00 p.m. ET; Devils Hockey Network
Head-to-Head:
This is the first meeting of these teams during the 2022-23 season. Last year, the Devils went 1-2-0 against the Capitals, being outscored 11-8 in those games.
New Jersey will take on Washington three more times this season, hosting them on November 26, and going to D.C. on March 9, and April 13. The final meeting will conclude the Devils 2022-23 regular season.
Devils Team Scope:
New Jersey has won three straight games after dropping their first two to begin the season. Since those two losses, New Jersey has downed Anaheim and San Jose at home, and the Islanders on the road.
The Devils have been racking up the shots on goal this season, recording 35 or more in five straight games to open the campaign. Meanwhile, the Devils have been limiting opposing teams 25 or less shots against.
Jesper Bratt paces the Devils with eight points (0-8-8) through five games. Nico Hischier is off to a solid start to 2022-23 with two goals and four assists in four games.
Ondrej Palat has the most goals on the team with three.
Mackenzie Blackwood has rebounded from his first outing of 2022-23. In his three starts since, Blackwood has faced 59 shots and has allowed just four goals against (.932SV%).
Capitals Team Scope:
The Capitals have won three of their last four outings, including 4-3 comeback win at home against Los Angeles on Saturday night. Washington was down 2-0 in that game through two periods, but scored three straight to take the lead and another late goal to take it back after the Kings tied.
It's a five-way tie atop of the Caps scoring leaderboard between Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson, Marcus Johansson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov. All five players currently have five points. Conor Sheary and Anthony Mantha lead in goals with three apiece.
Darcy Kuemper has been the workhorse betwen the pipes for Washington, starting five of the six games to open the season. He has a 3.04 GAA and .899 SV%.
Injury Updates:
Devils:
Bernier (IR, hip)
Capitals:
Brown (IR, Lower Body)
Clark (IR, Quadriceps)
Stevenson (IR, Hand)
Backstrom (IR, Hip)
Wilson (IR, ACL)
Hagelin (IR, Hip)
Alexeyev (IR, Shoulder)