It was the go-ahead score for a 5-3 Washington win in its season opener, and while the Capitals were in awe of the shot, they were hardly surprised.
Advertisement
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russian Federation, skates with the puck with New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac (19) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, October 10, 2015, in Washington. “In the third, we started moving the puck and we controlled the puck”. The New Jersey Devils would be rude visitors, though, getting a pair of their own barely two minutes apart late in the first frame. “Just a world-class goal by a world-class player. A lot of guys would fall down if they tried that kind of stuff”.
Keith Kinkaid was a wall for the Devils during the 5-on-3, stopping all five shots he faced in the two-minute stretch, including a point-blank attempt by T.J. Oshie on the end of a two-on-none break.
Devils Coach John Hynes said the goal was the turning point in the game. He had gone 91 regular season games without a goal, dating back to a tally for the Pittsburgh Penguins back on March 16, 2014. Ovechkin had 53 goals and 28 assists last season.
Orpik had missed the preseason with a left wrist injury. “I’ve only been here a short time. But it was good to get one early”.
Tonight was the night that Washington Capitals fans had been waiting for since that devastating Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Waahington was 2 for 5 on the power play and 2 for 3 on the penalty kill.
Orpik, Brooks…It was a long time coming, but in his 79 game as a Capital, he recorded his first goal for the club.
Kinkaid, starting in place of Cory Schneider in the second of back-to-back games, made 22 saves.
Jaromir Jagr, 43, got his campaign off on the right foot with the 723rd and 724th goals of his career.
Advertisement
NOTES: According to the Capitals, Chimera’s opening goal marked the first time Washington’s first goal of the season came short-handed.
