Caps Youngsters Beat Devils 5-1

By Rodger M. WoodCaps rookies and a couple grinders showed our slumping veterans how to play the game last night in the Caps 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.Looking a lot like mentor, Niklaus Backstrom, rookie Marcus Johansson set up rookie line mate, Andrew Gordon for his first NHL goal near the end of the first period to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.Veteran Versus commentator and NHL defensemen, Brian Engblom described young Johansson as “the best player on the ice.”At the 10 minute mark of the second period, rookie Jay Beagle came through for the home team with his second NHL ever goal, grinders, Dave Steckel and Matt Bradley assisting.Two minutes later at the 12.39 mark, veteran 3rd liner Jason Chimera flew up the ice to turn on the goal light for a Caps 3-1 lead, this time young Gordon and rookie defenseman John Carlson assisting.Two minutes later, at the 12.39 mark, veteran 3rd liner Jason Chimera flew up the ice to turn on the light for a Caps 3-1 lead, this time young Gordon and rookie defenseman John Carlson assisting.Carlson scored his own goal on a drop pass from Alex O. at the 16.31 mark of thesecond period, and veteran Mike Knuble, assisted by Tom Poti and Brooks Laich, scored midway through the 3rd period for a 5-1 victory.Twelve different Caps were involved in the scoring last night. Engblom was also impressed with the Caps third and fourth lines, whom he said could make the Capitals champions once Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, and Green start putting the puck in the net again.Let’s hope those players start popping those goals in tomorrow night against Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final tune up before the Winter Classic on New Year Day.
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