NEWARK, N.J. — Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Beck Malenstyn netted goals just 15 seconds apart in the first period, and Evgeny Kuznetsov added two goals as the Washington Capitals secured a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
Tom Wilson recorded two assists and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves as Washington claimed their fifth win in seven games, with a 5-1-1 record.
“It was a gritty one tonight,” Lindgren said. “You’ve got to credit New Jersey because that’s a really good fast skilled team. We knew they weren’t going to go away easy. They certainly didn’t. So this one feels really good.”
Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey, which lost for the third time in four games. Vitek Vanecek conceded two goals on five shots before he was replaced by Akira Schmid midway through the first period.
“We have to get back to work. That will translate into wins,” said Schmid, who finished with 18 saves.
Aube-Kubel, called up from AHL Hershey earlier Friday to make his season debut, got the Capitals on the scoreboard first 10:22 into the game.
Malenstyn then fired in a shot from the right circle at 10:37. Martin Fehervary had an assist on the play and later left the game after suffering a lower-body injury.
Kuznetsov extended the lead to 3-0 at 6:34 of the second period. Alex Ovechkin had an assist, moving six points shy of 1,500 in his career.
The Devils failed to score on four power-play chances.
“I thought our penalty kill did a really good job, credit to the guys,” Lindgren added. “I thought our defenseman did a really good job, forwards did a really good job and it was just a big win tonight.”
Meier finally ended Lindgren’s shutout bid with his fourth goal at 7:13 of the third period. Mercer then scored his second at 9:12 to make it a one-goal game.
Kuznetsov, playing his 11th season with the Capitals, scored his second of the night and third of the season into an empty net with 1:51 left to seal the win. “It was a good start, but then we give up a couple goals late in the third so they able to come back to that game and eventually we got the W,” Kuznetsov said. “That’s all that matters.”
The Devils were without leading scorer Jack Hughes for the third straight game. Hughes leads the team with 20 points, including five goals, in 10 games.
New Jersey was also missing captain Nico Hischier for a sixth straight game. Hischier last played Oct. 27 when he absorbed a high hit from Buffalo defenseman Connor Clifton, who received a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.
Devils coach Lindy Ruff said earlier Friday there was no update on the status of either injured player.
“We have to find ways to be creative without Nico and Jack,” Ruff said after the game. “We miss them. Our game can’t be the same without those guys. We have to keep grinding.”
UP NEXT
Capitals: At the New York Islanders on Saturday night.
