N.J. Devils: New Captain Cannot Fend Off Defeat

From the desk: BRICK CITY STYX

Travis Zajac 1000 Games

SUNDAY

Devils     3

Capitals  4

FINAL

Nico Hischier Named Captain

After having five games canceled and upwards of seventeen players under mandated quarantine, the Devils rank and file are back in the fold.  However, their return to action has, to date, proven to be a mixed bag of goods.  After shaming the Rangers and turning back the Bruins, they've since followed with consecutive losses against the Sabres and most recently against the Washington Capitals.

Because of an unanticipated delay in his return to action, scuttlebutt and speculation regarding Nico Hischier's injured knee increased.  But after missing eleven games, the Devils centerman made his long-awaited return to the ice against Buffalo, this time sporting a big "C" on his jersey.  

Unfortunately, after Sunday's loss, Nico Hischier is now 0-2 as Captain.

Newark went up 2-0 against the Capitols on Andreas Johnsson's first period power-play goal, then on Jack Hughes' fourth goal of the season at 3:55 of the second.  After John Carlson tied the game at two in the third, two ensuing penalties would spell the Devils' demise.  Kyle Palmieri got whistled for holding midway through the period, and T.J. Oshie answered with his second goal of the game.  Then Ryan Murray got caught tripping Carl Hagelin.  In the blink of an eye, Alex Ovechkin scored his sixth of the season.  Nikita Gusev scored with just 0:12 seconds left in regulations giving this game a 4-3 final score in favor of Washington.  

The Devils penalty kill continues playing on their heels.  Washington was 3 for 4 on the power play.  No surprise, as the Devils are bottom tier at 15.8% through 13 games.

For Jack Huges, his fourth goal and team-leading eleventh point of the season.

CONGRATULATIONS 

TRAVIS ZAJAK 

CAREER GAMES 

1000