On a night that looked primed for Alex Ovechkin to fill the net, another first overall pick took over instead.
Nico Hischier scored twice and was part of a strong defensive effort to end the last-place New Jersey Devils’ three-game skid with a 5-1 rout of the NHL-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday. Hischier’s 11th and 12th goals of the season came on the same day the 2017 top pick missed out on a last-chance All-Star invite because fans voted in Washington’s T.J. Oshie instead.
Hischier played like an All-Star in handing Washington its second consecutive loss.
“Right now I’m playing with a little bit more confidence, but I think the whole team is playing with more confidence,” Hischier said.