Capitals Burned by Devils

Home ice was unfriendly again to the Washington Capitals on Day 77 as the New Jersey Devils skated to a 3-2 victory. Washington falls to 13-19-4 for the season.

New Jersey opened the scoring in a tightly-played first period when Pilar netted at 5:27, but Washington answered late in the action on Frantisek Lukes' goal from Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo.

The Caps took a lead in the second period against the flow of play when Todd Warriner scored from Zigmund Palffy and Rob Blake at 12:26. The Devils kept the pressure up, however, and Volchenkov took advantage of a late power play to tie the game. The goal came while Peter Tenkrat was in the box for roughing and Blindenbacher and Amonte earned assists.

New Jersey continued to dominate the play in the final period, and Devereaux wasted little time to score the game-winning goal. The tally, his 10th of the season, was unassisted at 0:37.

Peter Skudra made 32 saves in the loss for Washington. Brian Boucher stopped 23 shots to earn the win for the Devils.

The Capitals return to action on Day 79 against Atlanta.