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Caps take out Devils

Dec 7, 2014 - 5:26 AM Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Jay Beagle scored the winner in the second period as the Washington Capitals grabbed a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Brooks Laich posted a goal and an assist while Karl Alzner and Evgeny Kuznetsov also lit the lamp for the Capitals, who have won their past two. Braden Holtby stopped 33 shots.

"When the game was tight we played our best hockey," Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said. "That's when we are comfortable."

Patrik Elias had the only goal while Cory Schneider allowed three goals on 28 shots for the Devils, who have lost six of their last seven.

The Capitals took a 1-0 lead just 3:47 into the game when Alzner one-timed the puck in from the outside left circle for his first of the season.

"I didn't get a good look at it," Schneider said of the first goal. "It went through someone's legs."

New Jersey tied the game at 6:10 as Dainius Zubrus charged down the right wing and cut to the front, with his shot popping into the air and Elias chipping it in for his third of the season.

Washington, though, took the lead at 9:15 of the second when Beagle skated down the right wing and cut to the front before putting a backhand in for his fourth of the season.

Just 3 1/2 minutes later, the Caps padded their advantage on the power play after Kuznetsov's snapper from the right circle found the back of the net.

Holtby turned away all 15 shots he faced in the third, with Laich sealing the victory on an empty-netter inside the final minute.

Game Notes

Washington plays at Tampa Bay on Tuesday ... New Jersey plays at Carolina on Monday ... Washington has won two of the three games with New Jersey this season ... Washington was 1-for-2 on the power play while New Jersey was 0- for-2.