Postgame Recap: Caps 5 Devils 3

 The Caps started their 2015-2016 off with what was a nice win over a Metro Division foe. A sloppy start lead to the Caps taking a 2-0 lead thanks to Jason Chimera and wait for it Brooks Orpik. The Devils would come back and tie the game. However, the captain Alex Ovechkin would score yet another highlight reel goal to kickoff a three goal third period to secure the win. Here are the Highlights.

My Thoughts:

*Brooks Orpik did not look as rusty as you might think after not playing in the preseason. After all he scored his first goal in 90+ games so that was good to see.

*The Caps were a little off to start the game, a little sloppy. They did not have a game in ten days which it showed early but as the game went on they played better.

*Matt Niskanen got a goal and assist on the night, his goal was a powerplay goal where the Devils pulled Keith Kinkaid so the Caps were setting up the powerplay with no goalie to get the puck past. It was something I have not seen before.

*Justin Williams had to good first game with the Caps with two assists, one on a shorthanded goal by Chimera in the first period.

*John Carlson had two assists last night, which was a quiet two assists but that's how he can accumulate points during the season. Carlson and Orpik had a good night being reunited.

*I have talked about how I want more offense from Tom Wilson this year and last night he made a great pass to get an assist on the Orpik goal. Wilson got the puck behind the net, showed good skating ability and made a good pass. He got banged up in the second period as it appeared a puck hit him in the leg but he returned in the third.

*Jason Chimera ended last season on a high note and he started this season off with a bang. Chimera scored the opening goal of the game and got an assist on the Orpik goal.

*Marcus Johansson did not play a ton in the preseason but he looked good last night with a powerplay goal that put the game completely in the Caps hands in the third period.

*The captain Alex Ovechkin got a goal and assist last night. His goal was a thing of beauty that fired up his teammates and turned the game in the Caps favor.

*Overall the Caps didn't play their best game but it is only the first game. A mark of a good team is when you win despite the sloppy start. I thought as the game went on they looked more like the team I expect them to be. Braden Holtby had a decent night, he made a big save on a breakaway which kept the game at 2-2. The goals he gave up were not really his fault in my opinion. So, overall not perfect but things that can be fixed, and easier to fix when you are celebrating the first win of the new season.

*Last thing the Hershey Bears opened their season in Springfield, the Bears beat the Falcons 5-1 behind goals by Camper, Carrick, Bourque, and two from rookie Riley Barber. Dan Ellis got the start in net and stopped 19 of 20 shots in the win for Coach Troy Mann.

What's Next: Tues. Oct. 13th vs. San Jose 7:00 p.m on CSN