WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored a stunning go-ahead goal early in the third period and set up another and the Capitals opened their season with a 5-2 victory over the Devils on Saturday night.
With the score tied 2-all, Ovechkin got possession in his own zone, streaked down the ice and eluded defender John Moore by pulling the puck behind his right leg to his backhand side.
Then he dragged it back across his body in time to fire a wrist shot above goaltender Keith Kinkaid’s left shoulder.
Ovechkin later fed Marcus Johansson on a power play to make it 4-2, and Matt Niskanen scored an empty-net goal at 17:07 in the third.