Caps 5, Devils 1
That looked like the old Caps. The signs of life showed in four of the last five games – we’ll pretend the New York game on Dec. 12 never happened – were on display for much of the night against struggling New Jersey. Washington needed a performance like this – it hadn’t had one since a 6-0 win over Tampa Bay last month – and got it. Check out the details from a game that vaulted the Caps back into first place in the Southeast Division.
The best story of the night was the first NHL goal scored by recent Hershey Bears call-up Andrew Gordon. With Matt Bradley apparently out 2-to-4 weeks with a broken finger, according to Caps senior writer Mike Vogel, this may be an extended audition for a player who was one of the American League’s top scorers at the time of his recall last week. The goal was brilliantly set up by rookie Marcus Johansson, who chased down the puck and whipped a pass across to a charging Gordon.
“I didn’t have any speed to go the corner to fist pump or anything so I just sort of stood there and enjoyed that moment where I figured everyone was looking at me for once instead of Ovi,” Gordon cracked. “I don’t know. That was a special moment and I’ll probably be mulling it over in my head all night. Probably not going to sleep much tonight.”
He wasn’t the only recent Hershey Bear to perform well. Jay Beagle, also called up last week, had a goal himself – the second of his NHL career. Can we add John Carlson to the list? He spent a big chunk of last season at Hershey, too. Carlson was a +4 with a wicked slapper for a goal and an assist on Jason Chimera’s breakaway goal. It was a Hershey kind of night.
“Yeah, it was kind of funny on the bench we were saying that,” Beagle said. “And to see Gordo get his first NHL goal – I had that last year – there’s no better feeling in the world. To be here for that and to share that with him is awesome.”
Gordon’s reaction on the bench was priceless. He was so enamored of Johansson’s pass that he smacked a kiss on his teammate’s unsuspecting cheek. Okay – so maybe he got carried away.
“The play was going on. I didn’t figure that would be on TV,” Gordon said. “But I was just trying to show my appreciation.”
Appreciation showed. Losing Bradley hurts. He had been playing well, scoring a goal on Saturday against Boston. It’s also a bummer that he’s out for the Winter Classic. But if the Caps can get this kind of production out of the young kids it bodes well – for the future, obviously, but also that they have the kind of depth up front to overcome injuries later in the season and even in the playoffs, if needed.
Washington coach Bruce Boudreau had high praise for Johansson, who was the night’s third star and was skating beautifully. Slowly, but surely, there are signs that the light is going on for both him and Mathieu Perreault and that would be a huge boost. Boudreau also raved about goalie Michal Neuvirth, who started his third game in a row and won his second straight. He should be in the again against the Penguins on Thursday.
Alex Semin also returned from injury after missing three games, but took a hooking penalty and was deemed “rusty” by Boudreau. “He’ll get better, though. He always does.” Gordon earned the hard hat for his play and was the second star. Carlson was the first star.
Practice tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Kettler. Don’t expect it to be optional. Boudreau made it pretty clear that the power play – with Alex Ovechkin up front now – needs some work after an 0-for-5 game. They can prepare for the Penguins and then rest over the holiday weekend before the game at Carolina on Sunday night.
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