The New Jersey Devils lost to the Washington Capitals in a 3-2 shootout at Prudential Center on Sunday. Andrew Cristall scored the decisive goal for Washington in the shootout.
Washington led by two goals late in the second period before New Jersey responded. Nico Hischier scored a power-play goal near the end of the second, and Shane Lachance tied the game late in the third as a power play expired. The game then went to overtime and was decided by a shootout.
Graeme Clarke and Ryan Leonard also contributed goals for Washington during regulation.
Arseny Gritsyuk, a 24-year-old forward from Russia, continued to make an impression during preseason play. He split time skating with Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier against Washington. Although his power-play opportunities were limited in this game, he converted his attempt during the shootout.
“He’s a great player. He reads the ice really well,” said Hischier about Gritsyuk. “You saw it out there. He has an unbelievable shot as well. For him it’s an adjustment coming over here, but he’s been doing a great job so far. He works hard too. He’s a big guy. He gets into good shooting position and uses his shot.”
Assistant coach Jeremy Colliton added: “He’s just getting used to our league and used to our players. To get an opportunity to play with those different combinations, that’s likely going to happen during the season, so just give him a little bit of a taste now to what that’s like.”
Forwards Shane Lachance and Lenni Hameenaho made their preseason debuts after recovering from injuries sustained at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo earlier this month. Lachance scored late in regulation with six hits recorded during the game while Hameenaho had one shot and four hits.
“It’s a huge part. Being a bigger body it’s something I have to do, being where I want to be,” said Lachance about working on hand-eye coordination around the crease area for scoring chances.
Lachance described his first NHL preseason experience: “There are some great players on the ice,” he said. “It was good to get out there and get my first test of NHL hockey. Hopefully, I keep going from here.”
Matyas Melovsky centered Lachance and Hameenaho’s line for much of this contest after posting strong numbers last season with Baie-Comeau in junior hockey.
Veteran Luke Glendening appeared in his fourth preseason game for New Jersey; he recently scored against the Islanders and won more than half of his faceoffs against Washington (56 percent). Brian Halonen also played his fourth preseason match; he previously notched both goals and assists earlier this month.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom saw extended action by playing two periods against Washington after appearing briefly earlier in preseason games.
The Devils’ next matchup is scheduled for Thursday against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
