The New Jersey Devils helped out the Winnipeg Jets by shuting out the Washington Capitals 5-0 on Friday night. The Devils' Zach Parise ended New Jersey's four game skid by scoring three goals on the night before leaving the game halfway throught the second period due to injury. "I was a little shaken up at first," said Parise, who had some swelling on his right jaw and a red mark there. "After a while it went away." By the time Parise was injured, the outcome was long since settled.
As great as Zach was, one has to tip their hat to the Jersey netminder: Jonah "Moose" Hedberg who got the start over Martin Brodeur a night off after Thursday's 4-3 OT loss in Boston. Moose stopped 23 shots for his third shutout of the season and the 20th of his career. "He made the big saves early, and it changed the tide of the whole game," Cap's Coach Dale Hunter said. "We had our chances and didn't bury (them); they had their chances and they went in."
The Capitals now have two games in hand over Winnipeg and trail by one point. They play again on Sunday. The defeat ended a three game win streak for Washington.
While the Capitals were neutralized in front of a sellout Verison Center crowd, the Lightning treated a Tampa Bay Times Forum audience to a come-from-behind victory over the Rangers. The 4-3 final was decided in overtime and sixth win in eight games.
After trailing 2-0, Tampa Bay's Tom Pyatt and Teddy Purcell evened the score. Steve Stamkos put the Bolts on top for a time before New York tied things up on a Brandon Dubinsky breakaway following a fall by Martin St. Louis.
"This game was tough from start to finish," New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. "Yeah we had the 2-0 lead, but I don't think we deserved the 2-0 lead. It felt like they made it tough for us all night."
Mathieu Garon of the Lightning finished with 16 stops and improved to 11-3-2 over his last 16 starts. Tampa Bay outshot the Rangers by a 31-19 margin.
The Lightning, after last night's win, sit 4th in the division and 10th in the conference with 66 points in 64 games and 30 wins. They are crawling up the ranks. Washington, after their loss, is at 69 points in 64 games with 34 wins. Winnipeg has 70 points in 66 games with 31 wins. Division leading Florida sits with 72 points in 63 games and 30 wins before tonight's game against Nashville.
