(SportsNetwork.com) – The New Jersey Devils will try to win consecutive games
for the first time in over a month on Saturday night as they take on the
visiting Washington Capitals.
The Devils halted a five-game losing streak with Thursday’s 5-3 victory over
the Toronto Maple Leafs despite Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias and Adam Larsson
out of the lineup. Jagr sat out due to a bout with the flu, Elias has a groin
injury and Larsson was also slowed by illness.
Mike Cammalleri, though, picked up a tie-breaking goal on the power play late
in the second period, while Steve Bernier and Eric Gelinas added a goal and an
assist each.
Stephen Gionta and Adam Henrique finished with a goal to back a 28-save effort
by Cory Schneider and Marek Zidlicky had a pair of assists to reach 300 for
his career.
“I thought we came and played an honest game,” Devils head coach Peter DeBoer
said. “We got a lead, which was important, and then we played our game.”
DeBoer next hopes his club can win two in a row for the first time since Oct.
30-Nov. 1 and he is likely to turn once again to Schneider, who is 3-2-0
lifetime versus the Capitals with a 1.70 goals against average and .941 save
percentage in five games.
While Elias remains day-to-day, it is unknown if Jagr or Larsson will be able
to return to action tonight.
Washington, meanwhile, snapped a two-game losing streak with Thursday’s 2-1
victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Eric Fehr netted the winning goal with
4:02 remaining in the third period, taking a turnover and firing the puck
glove side.
Jay Beagle had a goal in the first period and Braden Holtby made 29 saves for
the Capitals.
“Sometimes you gotta grind it out and tonight we did. That’s a credit to the
guys. Good response by them,” said Washington head coach Barry Trotz.
The Caps and Devils split two earlier meetings this season in Washington. The
Capitals claimed a 6-2 decision on Oct. 16, while the Devils responded with a
1-0 triumph on Nov. 14.
New Jersey has won nine of the previous 12 encounters overall and four in a
row as the host.
Holtby is 3-3-1 in his career versus the Devils, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915
save percentage in seven starts.
