New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions October 19th 2024

Caps visit Devils seeking revenge for season-opening loss

The Washington Capitals head to Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night to face the New Jersey Devils in a highly anticipated rematch. The Capitals are eager to avenge their season-opening 5-3 loss to the Devils, which kicked off their 2024 campaign on October 12. Since then, Washington has bounced back with back-to-back home wins, building momentum ahead of this clash.

Capitals Aim to Keep Momentum Rolling

After falling to the Devils on opening night, the Capitals have responded impressively, securing wins against the previously undefeated Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. Both victories came on home ice, against top-tier teams from the Western Conference. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery believes those performances have established a strong foundation for the team.

The most recent win, a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday, showcased Washington’s ability to come from behind. The Capitals trailed 1-0 after the first period but turned things around with goals from Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome, and newcomer Taylor Raddysh, who netted his first goal as a Capital since signing as a free agent in July. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren also played a key role, stopping 22 shots.

Tom Wilson Leading the Charge

Tom Wilson has been instrumental in Washington’s recent success, finding the back of the net in all three games this season. He has formed a productive trio with left wing Connor McMichael and new center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who joined the team in the offseason. Wilson’s early-season form has been a key driver of the Capitals’ offensive output.

Dylan Strome, who led the Capitals in points last season, has also been a steady contributor, posting two goals and two assists through the first three games. Despite the early success of other players, team captain Alex Ovechkin has yet to score a goal. However, he has recorded three assists and remains just 42 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals.

Devils Look to Build on Recent Success

The Devils are riding high after a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, a solid response following a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the week. This ability to rebound after setbacks has been a hallmark of New Jersey’s early season.

Against Ottawa, New Jersey got goals from Haula, Nathan Bastian, and Paul Cotter, the latter of whom continues his breakout start to the season. Cotter, a 24-year-old forward, has already tallied five goals this season after scoring just seven times in 76 games for the Vegas Golden Knights last year.

NHL Picks and Predictions

Markstrom Steady in Goal for New Jersey

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has provided a stable presence between the pipes for the Devils, boasting a 3-2-0 record and a 2.43 goals-against average in his first five starts. Acquired from the Calgary Flames in a trade this past June, Markstrom has quickly become a key figure for New Jersey. In Thursday’s win over Ottawa, he made 30 saves and carried a shutout into the final minutes before the Senators broke through during a 6-on-5 situation.

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe was quick to praise Markstrom after the game: “Just terrible that he doesn’t get the shutout that he deserves in this one,” Keefe said. “He was really strong in the first period and helped us get our legs going.”

Markstrom was also stellar in the Devils’ season-opening victory against Washington, stopping 29 of the Capitals’ 32 shots. His consistency in goal could be a crucial factor as the Devils look to extend their dominance over Washington.

Matchup Outlook

As both teams prepare for Saturday’s matchup, the Capitals will be looking to maintain the momentum from their recent victories, while the Devils hope to continue their pattern of resilient play. Washington’s scoring depth, which has compensated for Ovechkin’s slow start, will be tested against Markstrom’s strong play in net. Meanwhile, the Devils will rely on contributions from emerging stars like Paul Cotter and the steady play of their defense.

The Capitals are building an identity around team-oriented play, as they’ve found ways to win without relying exclusively on their superstar. Tom Wilson’s goal streak, paired with the reliable play of Strome, provides Washington with multiple offensive threats. If Ovechkin can break his scoring drought, Washington could become even more dangerous.

On the other hand, the Devils are riding high on balanced contributions from their lineup. Cotter’s emergence as a scoring threat and Markstrom’s steady goaltending could give New Jersey an edge in this rematch, particularly on home ice.

Key Storylines to Watch

• Tom Wilson’s Scoring Streak: Can Wilson extend his goal-scoring streak to four games?
• Alex Ovechkin’s Quest for Goals: Will Ovechkin finally score his first goal of the season and inch closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record?
• Paul Cotter’s Hot Start: Can Cotter continue his surprising early-season scoring surge for the Devils?
• Jacob Markstrom’s Steady Goaltending: Will Markstrom repeat his strong performance from the season opener against Washington?

As these two teams face off again, fans can expect an intense battle with playoff-level intensity, despite it being early in the season. Both teams are building early momentum, and this game will provide a benchmark for where they stand as they look to establish themselves as contenders.