**Devils Edge Capitals 3-2 in Shootout to Extend Winning Streak**
**WASHINGTON (AP)** — Luke Hughes delivered a goal and an assist, while Simon Nemec scored the decisive shootout winner as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday night.
Arseny Gritsyuk also contributed a goal for the Devils, who have triumphed in four of their last five games in overtime or shootouts. With this victory, New Jersey remains firmly atop the Metropolitan Division standings.
For the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin recorded his 902nd career goal and added an assist. Connor McMichael also posted a goal and an assist. However, Washington extended their struggles, losing eight of their last 10 games and remaining at the bottom of the division.
With Jack Hughes sidelined for eight weeks following finger surgery, younger brother Luke Hughes stepped up to fill the void on both ends of the ice. Early in the first period, as Washington took three consecutive penalties, Luke Hughes found Gritsyuk wide open for a quick one-timer, putting New Jersey on the board 1-0 with a power-play goal.
Later in the opening frame, Hughes scored himself, firing a wrist shot from the slot past Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson to give the Devils a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Washington increased the pressure in the second and finally broke through in the third period. McMichael tapped in a back-door feed from Ovechkin to cut the Devils’ lead in half. Seven minutes later, Ovechkin capitalized on a pass from McMichael, wiring a shot past Devils’ goalie Jake Allen to tie the game at 2-2 and send it into overtime.
Both goaltenders—Allen and Thompson—put on a goaltending clinic during the scoreless overtime period, which led to a shootout to decide the winner. Jesper Bratt and Simon Nemec scored for New Jersey in the shootout, sealing the victory.
Allen made 30 saves, while Thompson stopped 29 shots through regulation and overtime.
**Up Next:**
– *Devils*: Continue their road trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
– *Capitals*: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
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*AP NHL*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/luke-hughes-fills-brother-jack-031013174.html