National Hockey League
Washington 2, New Jersey 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, April 2, 2021
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: Ghislain Hebert, Dean Morton
Linesmen: Dan Kelly, Brad Kovachik
Attendance: 3600

Dmitry Orlov scored with 21 seconds remaining in overtime and the visiting Washington Capitals edged the New Jersey Devils 2-1 Friday night in Newark, N.J.

The Capitals improved to 7-0-0 against the Devils thanks to Orlov's fifth goal of the season.

The defenseman scored when he raced up the ice and released a blistering wrist shot from the right faceoff circle before New Jersey's Yegor Sharangovich could defend him. The puck sailed over goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood's left shoulder, and the shot was so hard that the puck quickly caromed out of the net.

Orlov's goal helped the Capitals rebound from getting outscored 13-6 in losses to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders in the first two games of their five-game road trip.

The Capitals also improved to 15-4-0 in their past 19 games.

Orlov scored after Washington goaltender Vitek Vanecek denied scoring chances by Travis Zajac and Jack Hughes. He stopped Zajac on a sharp angle attempt and also denied Hughes on a breakaway by diving to smother a backhander with about two minutes left.

The Capitals nearly won it in the first two minutes of overtime. Conor Sheary was denied on a breakaway seconds into the extra session, and with about three minutes left, T.J. Oshie was stopped on a 2-on-1.

Defenseman John Carlson scored midway through the second period for Washington, while Michael McLeod tallied later in the second for New Jersey.

Vanecek made 22 saves as Washington posted its fifth one-goal win over the Devils in the season series, which concludes Sunday.

Blackwood stopped 38 shots, but the Devils dropped 1-2-2 in their past five contests.

Carlson opened the scoring at 8:22 of the second when he fired a slap shot from the middle of the slot over Blackwood's glove shortly after the Devils won a defensive zone faceoff and turned the puck over.

The Devils evened the game 4 1/2 minutes later when McLeod was wide open in front of the crease and buried the rebound of Jesper Boqvist's slap shot from the right wing.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Washington   New Jersey
John Carlson 1 Points Michael McLeod 1
John Carlson 1 Goals Michael McLeod 1
Lars Eller 1 Assists Jesper Boqvist 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Vitek Vanecek .957 Save Percentage Mackenzie Blackwood .950
Vitek Vanecek 22 Saves Mackenzie Blackwood 38
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Washington 40 2 0-2 2-2 4 34
New Jersey 23 1 0-2 2-2 4 26
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Washington. The Devils have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .381 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game on the road against New Jersey. The Capitals have a W/L % of .652 after a win and .615 after a loss.