The Washington Capitals have taken over as the hottest team in the league with the Buffalo Sabres' win streak coming to an end earlier this week. They extended their win streak on Friday night with a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils, which bumped them ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Nicklas Backstrom led the charge with a hat trick, while Tom Wilson also scored before getting ejected for yet another questionable hit. Wilson's goal was of the short-handed variety, but he will now be reviewed again for a major hit on Brett Seney.
The hard-hitting Wilson just got back from a suspension due to an illegal hit at the end of the preseason. In nine games since returning, he has recorded nine goals and four assists, including a current five-game goal streak and seven-game point streak. His latest hit on Seney came from behind, as he drilled his left shoulder in to the back of his head. His recent suspension was originally 20 games, but was reduced to 14 games, which allowed him to return a couple weeks ago.
Capitals head coach Todd Reirden defended his player after the game, calling the incident incidental contact, and did not understand how it was called a penalty. Needless to say, he does not expect Wilson to face another suspension. The forward did not speak to reporters after the game.
Backstrom's hat trick was his first since December of 2014, as he also added an assist on the night. Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Capitals, who now have 15 wins and 33 points on the season. Braden Holtby finished with 33 saves on 36 shots, and Alex Ovechkin added an empty netter late.
The Capitals will look to extend their win streak when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Devils will take their last-place record back home on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
The hard-hitting Wilson just got back from a suspension due to an illegal hit at the end of the preseason. In nine games since returning, he has recorded nine goals and four assists, including a current five-game goal streak and seven-game point streak. His latest hit on Seney came from behind, as he drilled his left shoulder in to the back of his head. His recent suspension was originally 20 games, but was reduced to 14 games, which allowed him to return a couple weeks ago.
Capitals head coach Todd Reirden defended his player after the game, calling the incident incidental contact, and did not understand how it was called a penalty. Needless to say, he does not expect Wilson to face another suspension. The forward did not speak to reporters after the game.
Backstrom's hat trick was his first since December of 2014, as he also added an assist on the night. Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Capitals, who now have 15 wins and 33 points on the season. Braden Holtby finished with 33 saves on 36 shots, and Alex Ovechkin added an empty netter late.
The Capitals will look to extend their win streak when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Devils will take their last-place record back home on Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
