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Devils-Capitals Preview

Oct 11, 2009 - 6:42 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

New Jersey (2-2-0) at Washington (2-2-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

With their worst start in seven seasons behind them, the New Jersey Devils are looking much better on the road.

The Washington Capitals, meanwhile, have slipped since their quick start.

New Jersey goes for its third straight win Monday night as it closes a three-game trip with a matchup against a Washington club that's lost three in a row.

The Devils (2-2-0) lost at home to Philadelphia and the New York Rangers to open the season - their worst start since going 0-3-1 in 2001-02 - but rebounded with Thursday's 4-3 shootout win at Tampa and a 3-2 victory at Florida on Saturday when they outshot the Panthers 41-21.

"Overall, it's probably our best game from the first minute to the last," coach Jacques Lemaire said Saturday. "Through the whole game, we probably had one average shift."

New Jersey converted 2 of 6 power-play chances against Florida, with Travis Zajac and David Clarkson scoring. Clarkson netted the winning goal 1:48 after the Panthers made it 2-all in the third period.

"We did a pretty good job when we needed to," said Zajac, who has matched a career high with goals in three straight games. "At the end when we had a chance to regain the lead we did a pretty good job on it."

New Jersey's Martin Brodeur is 5-0-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average in his last five games at the Verizon Center. The Devils are 6-2-0 at Washington since Nov. 11, 2005.

The Capitals (2-2-1), opening a three-game homestand, try to avoid losing four straight for the first time since going 0-3-1 from March 1-8.

Washington killed all eight of its opponents' power-play opportunities in wins over Boston and Toronto to open the season, but the Capitals have not fared as well lately while short-handed, giving up six goals in the last three games.

Washington allowed two power-play goals Saturday in a 3-2 loss at Detroit, including the winner with 6:53 remaining after defenseman Mike Green was called for hooking.

"We played a heck of a game tonight and we took two dumb penalties and it cost us," said coach Bruce Boudreau, whose team has allowed 13 goals during its slide.

Two-time defending Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin notched his 10th point of the season Saturday with an assist on Brendan Morrison's power-play goal, but Semin and Nicklas Backstrom, who have combined for 19 points, both went scoreless for the first time this season.

Ovechkin had three goals and five assists against New Jersey in 2008-09.

Washington's Jose Theodore, who made 34 saves Saturday, is 6-13-1 with a 2.67 GAA in 20 starts against New Jersey.

Dating to last season, the Devils are 4-0-0 on the road since losing six straight away from the Prudential Center.