New Jersey beat the Washington Capitals on the road for the first time in nearly two years Friday night, as Russian rookie Valeri Zelepukin had two goals and an assist in the Devils` 5-2 victory.
Goalie Craig Billington stopped 21 shots to help the Devils move eight games over .500 for the first time in franchise history. Billington is 11-2-1 overall and 4-0 on the road.
Zelepukin has six goals in 14 games and Alexander Semak, another Russian rookie, got his first NHL goal as the Devils took a 5-0 lead after two periods. The victory moved New Jersey into a third-place tie with idle Pittsburgh in the Patrick Division.
”We were prepared,” ex-Capital Scott Stevens said. ”They`ve beaten us a few times and we wanted to move up a few games in the standings. It was a big game for us.”
Dale Hunter and Dimitri Khristich scored third-period goals for the Capitals, who were 6-0 against the Devils at the Capital Centre since a 5-3 loss on Feb. 9, 1990. The Devils are 5-28-1 at the Capital Centre since moving from Colorado in 1982.
