Spokesman-Review
National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Jersey 5, Washington 4
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 21, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District Of Columbia
Referees: Paul Devorski, Kevin Pollock
Linesmen: Derek Amell, Mark Wheler
Attendance: 18506

Devils 5, Capitals 4 (OT): Defenseman Andy Greene scored 43 seconds into overtime as visiting New Jersey erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to improve to 3-0-1 in its last four games.

Jaromir Jagr scored his 694th career goal to tie Hall-of-Famer Mark Messier for seventh place in NHL history. Jagr notched a pair of assists - including one on the winning tally as his shot was denied by Braden Holtby (32 saves), but the puck caromed off Greene's stick and into the net to end the game.

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored twice, Dainius Zubrus recorded a goal and an assist and Martin Brodeur finished with 18 saves for the Devils, who also went to overtime before dropping a 3-2 decision to Anaheim on Friday. Greene, Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias joined Jagr with two assists apiece.

Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his NHL-leading 30th goal to reach that plateau for the ninth consecutive season. Joel Ward collected a goal and an assist while Jason Chimera and Mikhail Grabovski also tallied for the Capitals, who saw their three-game home winning streak come to an end.

Jagr brought New Jersey within 3-2 at 5:28 of the third period by scoring from along the end line during a power play for his team-leading 13th goal. Ovechkin answered over 2 1/2 minutes later with a wrist shot from the slot. Zidlicky netted his second of the night at 9:21 before Zubrus deflected Zajac's wrist shot from along the right-wing boards to forge a 4-4 tie at 11:47.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington C Nicklas Backstrom saw his five-game point streak come to an end. ... Jagr has collected two goals and nine assists during his season-high seven-game point streak. ... New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello told The (Newark) Star-Ledger that RW Damien Brunner will be sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury. Brunner was injured against the Ducks. ... United States Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was in attendance at the Verizon Center.
Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Washington
Andy Greene 3 Points Joel Ward 2
Marek Zidlicky 2 Goals Joel Ward 1
Andy Greene 2 Assists Martin Erat 2
Marek Zidlicky 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Martin Brodeur .818 Save Percentage Braden Holtby .865
Martin Brodeur 18 Saves Braden Holtby 32
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 37 5 2-2 1-1 2 18
Washington 22 4 0-1 0-2 4 29
Upcoming Games
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Anaheim. The Capitals have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .529 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Devils have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .409 after a loss.