The Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils traded scoring chances throughout the first period, but when the Caps needed it most, Andrew Gordon was there to help out.
Gordon scored his first career NHL goal in the first period to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead over the Devils after 20 minutes.
John Erskine sent an outlet pass to Marcus Johansson along the side boards. Johansson sent a centering pass to the crease as Gordon was sprinting towards Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. Gordon tipped the puck past a sprawling Brodeur at 16:41 to score his first NHL goal and give the Capitals the lead in the process.
New Jersey outshot Washington 12-10 in the period.