National Hockey League
Washington 4, New Jersey 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: Jake Brenk, Dan O'Rourke
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Scott Driscoll
Attendance: 14815

Brett Connolly had a goal and an assist, and the Washington Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Tuesday night in Newark, N.J., to move into sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Andre Burakovsky, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson also scored for Washington, which returns from a 2-2-0 road swing to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

Nicklas Backstrom collected his 50th assist of the season, and Pheonix Copley made 20 saves for Washington.

Kenny Agostino scored, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 18 saves for the Devils, who have lost two straight.

The Capitals took a 1-0 lead at 2:52 of the first period when Burakovsky beat Blackwood glove side with a wrist shot from the left circle for his 12th goal of the season.

New Jersey tied the score on a broken play with one second left in the opening period. Agostino controlled a loose puck high in the slot and fired through traffic for the equalizer.

The Capitals broke it open with a three-goal second period.

Washington regained the lead on Connolly's goal at 5:57 when he tapped in a pass from Christian Djoos for his 20th goal of the season.

The Capitals have five 20-goal scorers with Ovechkin, Jakub Vrana, T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson and now Connolly.

Washington went ahead 3-1 on Kuznetsov's 19th goal of the season at 12:16 of the second. Kuznetsov entered the Devils' zone two-on-one with Oshie, took the shot himself and flicked a wrist shot past Blackwood.

Wilson made it 4-1 when he converted a pass from Alex Ovechkin at 13:28 of the middle period.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Washington   New Jersey
Brett Connolly 2 Points Kenny Agostino 1
Brett Connolly 1 Goals Kenny Agostino 1
Brett Connolly 1 Assists Joey Anderson 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Pheonix Copley .952 Save Percentage Mackenzie Blackwood .818
Pheonix Copley 20 Saves Mackenzie Blackwood 18
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Washington 22 4 0-1 2-2 4 24
New Jersey 21 1 0-2 1-1 2 29
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against Boston. The Devils have a W/L % of .357 after a win and .370 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Tampa Bay. The Capitals have a W/L % of .581 after a win and .600 after a loss.