The Washington Capitals entered Friday's game with the New Jersey Devils looking for a gift before the two-day Christmas hiatus. Jason Chimera did his best Santa Claus impression by delivering some late-game cheer, but the Caps left with a lump of New Jersey goals.
Down 3-0 entering the third period, the Caps came back to tie the game late, but ultimately fell short in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Devils Friday.
Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Urbom and Adam Henrique scored in the second period to give New Jersey a 3-0 lead and it looked as if Washington would once again fall in blowout fashion. Yet, Jason Chimera's 12th and team-leading 13th goals of the season came just in the (Saint) nick of time.
After Brooks Laich finished a tic-tac-toe passing sequence with Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin to cut the Devils' lead to 3-1 at 3:48, Chimera's stuff attempt beat Martin Brodeur (22 saves) at 12:44, as did his tip-in off a no-look pass from Laich with 1:42 left.
After a scoreless overtime, the Caps did not score in the shootout, while Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias put the game away for the Devils.
The Caps have two days off for the holiday, but return to action Monday against the Buffalo Sabres.