New Jersey Devils (3-0-0) at Washington Capitals (1-0-2), 7 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - Determined not to repeat last season's awful start, the New Jersey Devils are unbeaten through three games in 2014-15.
The Devils will try to open a campaign 4-0 for the first time since 1995-96 when they visit the Washington Capitals for Thursday's Metropolitan Division battle at Verizon Center.
New Jersey was winless through seven games (0-4-3) last season and that early- season swoon was a big reason the club missed the playoffs by five points in 2013-14. The Devils' quick start in 2014-15 also has come without a home test, as the club tries to complete a season-opening four-game road trip with a perfect record before opening the Prudential Center Saturday against San Jose.
The Devils used their offense to best Philadelphia and Florida by a combined 11-5 margin over the first two games this season before edging Tampa Bay in a defensive battle on Tuesday.
Jersey slipped past the Lightning by a 2-1 score thanks to Mike Cammalleri's power-play goal in the latter stages of the third period. Cammalleri snapped a 1-1 tie at the 11:19 mark of the final period, and Cory Schneider ended the game with 26 saves to deliver the victory. Cammalleri also provided the secondary assist on Travis Zajac's goal earlier in Tuesday's victory.
Cammalleri, who signed a five-year, $25 million deal to join New Jersey in the offseason, has four goals in his first three games to lead the Devils. No other Devil has more than one marker so far.
"I thought we played a very good road game," Schneider said. "First few minutes wasn't our best, but that's part of my job to be there and pick the guys up and let them get going and sure enough we did."
The Capitals, meanwhile, are 1-0-2 in three games under new head coach Barry Trotz. Washington recorded a 4-0 win Saturday in Boston before making a valiant comeback effort in Tuesday's 6-5 shootout loss against the visiting Sharks.
Washington fell behind 3-0 in the first half of the opening period on Tuesday and also trailed 4-1 in the second. The Caps cut the deficit to 4-3 by the end of 40 minutes, but San Jose scored early in the third to make it a 5-3 game before Washington came roaring back.
Alex Ovechkin's power-play goal with 5:51 left in the third made it a one-goal game before Troy Brouwer evened the score just 1:16 later.
However, Joe Pavelski scored the lone goal of the shootout to give San Jose the 6-5 decision. Pavelski beat Justin Peters to his glove side with a rising shot into the top corner to complete the second round.
Ovechkin had two goals and an assist for Washington, giving the star forward four goals and five points on the season. Mike Green also had a goal and a helper in the shootout loss.
"Simple mistakes," Ovechkin said of the slow start. "We understand how we have to play."
Braden Holtby made just four saves on seven shots before being pulled for Peters midway through the first period. Peters stopped 14-of-16 shots in defeat.
Washington is 0-0-2 on home ice and will try to pick up its first win at Verizon Center when it plays the middle test of a three-game homestand tonight. The Caps will close the residency Saturday against Florida.
The Devils claimed three of four meetings against Washington last season and have eight victories over the past 10 encounters. The Caps, however, have claimed two of the past three tilts in D.C.