New Jersey Falls 4-3 to Washington in Devastating Overtime Loss

Published: Saturday, December 27, 2025

by Ryan Fox

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils (20-16-2) entered Saturday’s divisional matchup against the Washington Capitals (20-13-5) looking to change their fortunes after losses to the Islanders and Sabres, but failed to do so as they fell 4-3 in overtime. Saturday was the Devils second time playing the Capitals this season, as they won 3-2 in the shootout on November 15th.

The game opened up with some extremely fast paced play seen on from parties. During the first, Washington thought they were able to get on the board first with a goal from Dylan Strome, but was deemed offsides from a coach’s challenge from the Devils bench. 

Throughout the action packed first 20 minutes of play, no penalties were taken, until the very end of the period where Capitals' Anthony Beauvillier and Devils' Colton White were called for roughing, where 4 on 4 play ensued.

Ending off the period, Alexei Protas was able to net one for Washington with four-tenths of a second left in the first. After valiant efforts from both parties, Washington took the 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The Devils kept their foot on the gas and continued their fast and physical playstyle in the second frame. Just around 5 minutes in, Capitals' Brandon Duhaime was sent off for roughing, giving New Jersey their first power play of the game. On the man advantage, Jesper Bratt found the back of the net against Capitals netminder Logan Thompson, handing the assists to Nico Hischier and Stefan Noesen.

New Jersey was sent to another power play just minutes later after another hooking call on Duhaime, but failed to capitalize on the man advantage. Late in the second, Washington was sent to their first powerplay of the game after an interference call on Cody Glass, but could not score on the opportunity.

New Jersey entered the final period of play with full pressure applied, desperate to get back in the game as they trailed 2-1. Seven minutes into the third period, Bratt answered back for New Jersey and scored his second of the night with the assists going to Ondřej Palát and Jack Hughes. Just 32 seconds later, Glass netted another one for the Devils after a behind the back pass from Connor Brown, with the secondary helper going to Brenden Dillon.

After some back and forth offensive opportunities, Alex Ovechkin brought the Capitals back with a game tying goal, handing the assists to Protas and Rasmus Sandin. The game would then enter overtime where Jakob Chychrun would net the overtime winner off of his own rebound, deeming Washington victorious.

Following the OT loss, the Devils will look to bounce back  against the Toronto Maple Leafs this Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.

Ryan Fox can be reached at ryan.fox@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: sports,