Breaking News: The New Jersey Devils are set to clash with the Washington Capitals, but the absence of star player Jack Hughes casts a shadow over the game.
Get ready for a thrilling matchup as the New Jersey Devils hit the road to face the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena.
How to Catch the Action:
- Tune In: Watch the game on MSGSN or stream it on Gotham Sports.
- Listen: Catch the live radio broadcast on the Devils Hockey Network.
Team Standings:
- New Jersey Devils (12-4-1)
- Washington Capitals (8-8-1)
Game Preview Highlights:
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Stay Updated:
- Keep an eye out for the Devils Download and pre-game interviews, coming after the morning skate.
- Morning skate recap will be available around 12:30 p.m. ET.
Key Resources:
- Gamecenter
- Media Game Notes
- Head-to-Head: Devils vs. Capitals
- NHL Standings
- Devils Player Statistics
- Capitals Player Statistics
The Scoop:
Devils:
Unfortunately, the Devils will be without Jack Hughes, who suffered a non-hockey-related hand injury. Connor Brown has also been placed on Injured Reserve, with Shane Lachance called up from Utica to fill the gap. Brown's IR placement is retroactive to October 30th, meaning he could return at any time. The Devils are coming off a successful road trip opener, where they defeated the Blackhawks in overtime, thanks to Simon Nemec's incredible hat trick. However, the team also faced injuries to Cody Glass and Zack MacEwen during the game. Nathan Légaré was recalled from Utica to join the team in Chicago, and Lachance will meet the Devils in Washington.
Capitals:
The Washington Capitals are experiencing a tough season, currently on a seven-game losing streak after an impressive previous year. Their special teams have been struggling, with their power play ranked 29th in the league at just a 14.8% success rate. The penalty kill isn't much better, ranking 27th with a 73.2% success rate. The Capitals are returning from a four-game road trip where they went 1-3-0, with their most recent loss being a 6-3 defeat against the Florida Panthers.
Who's Hot:
- Devils: Simon Nemec is on fire, fresh off his first career hat trick. He has scored four goals in his last two games and boasts four goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
- Capitals: Tom Wilson has been a key player, with five goals and two assists in the past 10 games.
Injuries:
Devils:
- J. Hughes (hand)
- MacEwen (undisclosed)
- Glass (undisclosed)
- Hamilton (undisclosed)
- Brown (undisclosed)
- Pesce (upper-body)
- Dadonov (hand)
- Kovacevic (knee)
- McLaughlin (undisclosed)
Capitals:
- Dubois (abdominal surgery, out 3-4 months)
Regular-Season Matchups:
- November 15 at Capitals
- December 27 vs. Capitals
- March 20 at Capitals
Key Stats Leaders:
| STATISTIC | DEVILS | CAPITALS |
| ----------- | ----------- | ----------- |
| Goals | J. Hughes, 10 | Wilson, 9 |
| Assists | Bratt, 11 | Carlson, Strome, 10 |
| Points | J. Hughes, 20 | Wilson, 17 |
Game Notes:
- Nemec's 12 points (4g-8a) lead all New Jersey defensemen this season.
- Per NHL PR, Nemec is the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a hat trick and overtime goal in the same game.
And this is the part most people miss... The Capitals' struggles this season are a stark contrast to their previous performance. Can they turn things around, or will the Devils capitalize on their current form? What are your predictions for the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
